Barcelona ‘want Viktor Gyokeres transfer from Arsenal with champs to bid for flop striker as Julian Alvarez alternative’

BARCELONA are targeting Arsenal ace Viktor Gyokeres as an alternative to Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez, according to reports. Barca have been prioritising Alvarez, 26, throughout the summer transfer window and the striker is reportedly keen to move to the Nou Camp. Barcelona are targeting Arsenal ace Viktor Gyokeres this summer Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Barcelona see Gyokeres as an alternative to Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez Credit: Getty Images – Getty However, Atletico are not willing to sell the Argentina international and have already rejected a whopping £130million bid from Real Madrid while putting the Blaugrana on full blast. That led to the Spanish champions turning their attention to potential alternatives to the ex-Manchester City ace. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! According to El Chiringuito, Gyokeres, 28, is among Barcelona‘s backup options to boost their frontline. The same source added the Catalan giants will move for the Sweden international in the “next few hours”. Barcelona’s interest for the striker intensified, especially after Ferran Torres left for Paris Saint-Germain. At the same time, the Spanish giants are keeping tabs on Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martínez and Sporting Lisbon’s Luis Suarez. Gyokeres couldn’t replicate his incredible scoring form with Sporting during his debut season at Arsenal. The Swedish ace registered a staggering total of 97 goals and 28 assists in 102 appearances throughout his two-year stint in Lisbon. Most read in Football SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS But the ex-Coventry ace managed just 21 goals and three assists in 55 appearances last term. And Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta often preferred to play with a false nine, such as Kai Havertz or Mikel Merino – something he also did in Sunday’s Community Shield where he started the former. That is despite the fact the Gunners splashed a whopping £63.5m for Gyokeres last year. And the North Londoners have also been linked with Alvarez this summer. Comment now