Arsenal looked to have won the race for Viktor Gyokeres after he snubbed Manchester United, but Sporting's demands have reportedly thrown a spanner in the works
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Viktor Gyokeres' future remains up in the air
Viktor Gyokeres' future remains up in the air(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal have reportedly paused their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, despite the striker rejecting a move to Manchester United in favour of the Gunners. Mikel Arteta is keen to sign a new goalscorer and has told fans to expect a "big summer" in the transfer market.
"It's going to be a big one and we are very excited about it," Arteta said earlier this year. "The way we planned the five first summers, they were going to be very big and they were going to have different objectives because the turnaround of players and the objective of those windows was going to be different.
"But now when you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad but as well we want to increase the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step."
And Gyokeres had emerged as their top attacking target, having scored 97 goals in 102 games since joining Sporting in 2023. United were also interested in the 27-year-old, but he informed them that he did not want to join as he would rather sign for a club in the Champions League.
However, Portuguese outlet Record are now reporting that Arsenal have 'frozen' their pursuit of Gyokeres due to Sporting's asking price. It is claimed that Sporting rejected an initial offer of €55million (£47m) plus an additional €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons.
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Arsenal are then said to have proposed a total package worth around €70m (£60m), but Sporting want the player's £85m release clause to be met. "Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me," Sporting president Frederico Varandas said.
"I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m+10m (£51m+£8.5m) because I never promised him that. This game that the agent is playing only makes the situation worse."
As a result, it is claimed that Arsenal have now turned their attention to other options, including Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins. Arsenal attempted to sign Watkins during the January transfer window, with the Gunners claiming they were offered the forward as Villa attempted to balance their books.
Ollie Watkins
Arsenal have reignited their interest in Ollie Watkins
However, Villa ultimately ended up selling Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr instead and Watkins stayed put. The England international was a boyhood Arsenal fan and admitted back in 2020 that playing for the Gunners was his "dream".
"Thierry Henry, as an Arsenal fan, was unbelievable to watch. He was my idol growing up," he told Sports Gazette at the 2020 London Football Awards when he was playing for Brentford in the Championship.
"The dream is to play for Arsenal one day but it's a long shot. My family support them and stuff like that but that's the long term."
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