Arsenal set to offer €60 million plus €10 million for world class striker
Should Arsenal persist with Gyokeres despite Sporting CP’s hardball tactics, or pivot to other targets like Benjamin Sesko?
In London, expectations are growing as Arsenal plans its next moves in the transfer market. After a season that left the team close to glory but without the title, the board has clearly identified what is missing: a striker who can make a difference from the very first match. Mikel Arteta has made this clear with his words and actions.
The need is obvious. And as the clock ticks down, the pressure to secure a major signing is also growing. In this context, the name of Viktor Gyokeres has gained momentum, both in the corridors of the Emirates and on the front pages of sports newspapers.
Arsenal have prepared an offer of close to £50 million plus £8 million in variables for Viktor Gyokeres. Negotiations with his entourage are already underway, and the official offer is expected to be presented in the coming days.
However, there is a risk that Sporting CP will reject it, as the Portuguese club remains firm in its intention to demand the £85 million established in the release clause. In addition, there is tension between Gyokeres, President Frederico Varandas and the player’s agent, with accusations of broken promises and possible contractual conflicts further complicating the process.
Opinion:
Now, can that amount convince Sporting? From an economic point of view, Arsenal’s offer respects what the player’s entourage considers to be the fair minimum, but Varandas has publicly warned that he will not accept that figure. This puts the English club in a delicate position: to bet big on a player who has shown his desire to leave or to explore alternatives before it is too late. The name of Benjamin Sesko remains on the table, although his salary situation raises certain internal doubts.
Gyokeres, with his physical play, aggressive reading of the area and ability to create chances from quick transitions, offers a profile that Arsenal does not currently possess. His ability to draw defenders, hold onto the ball and finish with both feet could fit perfectly into Arteta’s system, which demands intensity, presence and decisiveness in the final third.
While Sesko has a profile more associated with the classic Slovenian “nine”, with good aerial finishing and presence in the box, he still lacks the experience and consistency that Gyokeres has established in Portugal.
The insistence on Gyokeres makes sense when you consider Arsenal’s urgent need for a proven goalscorer. It is not about looking for potential, but about securing immediate guarantees. The Swede has solid numbers and his style is suited to the Premier League: direct, physical, intense.
Even if Sporting plays hardball and sticks to their €100 million asking price, Arsenal will have to decide whether the investment is worth the risk. Because if Gyokeres delivers on his promise, that figure could seem reasonable in the medium term. However, if conditions do not change soon, moving for Sesko could be the more pragmatic decision. Although his ceiling is high, his immediate impact would be more uncertain. Arsenal has a choice that will shape its season, and perhaps much more.