Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta 'really likes' Viktor Gyokeres as Gunners tipped to pursue Sporting CP striker due to ex-Atletico Madrid chief's ties

Gyokeres has been heavily linked with a summer move away from Sporting, with the Gunners and Chelsea both credited with a serious interest in bringing him in from the Portuguese club. He has enjoyed a stunning season, scoring 47 goals in 46 games in all competitions.

Baptista, who played for the Gunners in the 2006-07 season, has now claimed that Berta, a recent appointment at the Emirates, is a long-term admirer of the former Coventry City striker and suggested that the Gunners could launch a summer bid.

Speaking to footitalia.com, the Brazilian said: “Then there’s Viktor Gyokeres, too. The boy has incredible numbers. 45 games, 44 goals, 11 assists. Arsenal are one of the teams that are supposed to be really interested in him, and I can see why. I think the new Sporting Director Andrea Berta really likes him; he was on his radar when he was the Sporting Director at Atletico Madrid."

Arsenal face Crystal Palace in midweek before their huge Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.