Chelsea enter race to sign Sporting striker?

Chelsea have reportedly joined Arsenal in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres in January.

The Swede joined the Portuguese giants last summer following a good season at Coventry City where he scored 22 goals and provided 14 assists.

He has continued the good form with 15 goals and seven assists this term and his performances have now impressed the Blues and the Gunners.

However, a winter deal could be difficult to pull off for either club. Sporting have no desire to negotiate a transfer fee for the 26-year-old next month.

He will only leave if either club are willing to meet his €100 million release clause. That seems unlikely to happen due to Financial Fair Play concerns.

Chelsea have the financial backing from their owners to spend big, but they are in a tough FFP situation and need to balance their books first.

The same can be said for Mikel Arteta's side, who are unlikely to invest on a marquee striker until the end of the current campaign.