Viktor Gyokeres’ standoff with Sporting CP could have major consequences beyond Lisbon — especially in North London.
The striker is reportedly furious after Sporting president Frederico Varandas failed to honour a verbal agreement that would have allowed him to leave for €70 million.
That frustration has now spilled into the public domain, with Gyokeres posting cryptically on Instagram and Portuguese media reporting that he has vowed not to play for the club again.
For Arsenal, who have been keeping tabs on the Swede, this could prove decisive. The club’s hierarchy have been weighing up a move for either Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko this summer, with internal debates ongoing over who fits better into Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Until now, Sesko had the advantage of being cheaper. With a reported release clause of around €65 million and a profile that suits Arsenal’s age model, the RB Leipzig striker has been seen as the pragmatic choice.
But if Gyokeres’ price drops amid growing unrest, the Gunners could suddenly find themselves staring at a bargain too tempting to ignore.
This fallout gives Arsenal something they have not had so far — leverage. Sporting want to avoid a dressing room distraction. A player who refuses to train or play can be a destabilising presence.
If they are forced to soften their stance on the asking price, Arsenal could move decisively, snapping up a proven goalscorer who bagged 54 goals last season.
The potential savings could then be redirected to other areas of need. Arsenal are also targeting a central midfielder and possibly a versatile defender. Securing Gyokeres for less than his initial valuation would give them greater financial freedom to complete a more rounded window.
Signing a player unhappy at his current club is rarely straightforward, but it is nothing new in elite football. Arsenal fans will remember how Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie each forced moves in their own time.
What matters now is timing. If Arsenal wait too long, rival suitors — like Manchester United — could hijack the move.
If Andrea Berta and Arteta want Gyokeres, the moment to act is now. The chaos at Sporting has opened a door. Arsenal must decide quickly whether to walk through it.