Arsenal have reservations over a move for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres due to his age and £85 million release clause, according to the Daily Mail.
The Sweden international will be 27 years old by the time next season starts, and the Gunners are unwilling to spend that much on a player fast approaching his 30s.
Gyokeres has notched 72 goals since the start of last season playing for the Portuguese top-flight club, but there are some concerns at Arsenal over whether he can replicate his goalscoring record in the Premier League.
They also had Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford on a list of potential forward signings identified last summer.
However, there are currently no indications they will consider revisiting their tentative summer interest in the 27-year-old despite his desire for a new challenge.
The predicted cost of signing the Man United star meant Arsenal did not pursue their initial interest in him, and it appears that has not changed.
Bolstering the attacking ranks remains top of their plans heading into next summer, and they still retain interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko.
The Magpies star clocked 25 in September, while Sesko is only 21, and they both fit into the age profile Arsenal are looking at.
However, there are internal concerns over Isak’s injury record at the club, particularly given the intensity of manager Mikel Arteta’s style of play.
He has proven himself in England and he is widely seen as the leading candidate to fill the role as Arsenal’s new attacking focal point, but whether he will always be available for selection has been a source of concern.
It could be up to the next sporting director to make the final decision regarding who gets signed as the number nine, and fans will desperately hope he lands the perfect signing.
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