Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal’s pursuit of top striker target Viktor Gyökeres has entered a pivotal phase after a €60 million (£51.4m) clause in the Sporting CP forward’s contract became active on July 1.
The Gunners, along with Manchester United, have held extensive talks with the Portuguese champions over a potential summer deal for the prolific Swedish international. However, negotiations have so far failed to yield an agreement, with Sporting rejecting Arsenal’s initial offer of €55m (£46.8m) plus €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons.
Gyökeres, 27, enjoyed a sensational 2024/25 season, scoring 54 goals in 52 matches and playing a crucial role in helping Sporting secure a domestic league and cup double. Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta reportedly met Sporting’s director Bernardo Palmeiro in Menorca last month to explore a deal, but Sporting remain adamant about their valuation.
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While the striker’s contract includes a €100m (£85.1m) release clause, Sporting have privately indicated a willingness to consider offers closer to €80m (£68.6m). However, recent reports from Portuguese outletA Bola suggest complications due to an exclusive sales clause secured by Gyökeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, during his £20m move from Coventry City two years ago.
Viktor Gyokeres - Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres (Image credit: Getty Images)
Under the terms of that agreement, Sporting must pay Cetinkaya 10% of the value of any rejected offer above €60m. This clause has added tension behind the scenes, especially after reports emerged suggesting Sporting had accepted an offer of €60m plus €10m in bonuses, claims that Sporting president Frederico Varandas has firmly denied.
Varandas reportedly warned Cetinkaya that his handling of the situation is “making things worse” and made it clear that unless the full €100m release clause is triggered, Sporting are under no obligation to sell. Still, the club’s internal valuation remains at €80m, and there is strong belief that Gyökeres will depart this summer if that figure is met.
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Speaking on Sunday, Varandas confirmed that a transfer is likely but reiterated that the club would not allow the striker to leave for less than market value.
“If you ask me today, there is a strong possibility that Viktor will leave,” Varandas said. “In the last few weeks, I saw Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, go to Arsenal for €65m. I also saw Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, players I don’t believe have Viktor’s quality sold for around €75m. So, given the market, Viktor’s value is clear. Unless he has the worst agent in the world which I doubt, he will be sold for what he’s worth.”
Gyökeres remains one of Arsenal’s top striker targets as Mikel Arteta looks to add a proven goalscorer to his squad ahead of the 2025/26 season. With the €60m clause now active and tensions rising behind the scenes, the coming days could prove decisive in Arsenal’s pursuit of the Swedish goal machine.
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