Arsenal - Mikel Arteta
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Sporting CP appear to be preparing for the departure of star striker Viktor Gyökeres, amid growing signs that the Swedish forward is edging closer to a high-profile move to Arsenal.
The Gunners are reportedly in advanced talks with Gyökeres and are said to have agreed on a five-year contract with the prolific 27-year-old. With Arsenal determined to secure a world-class No. 9 this summer, the move for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško has been placed on the backburner as Mikel Arteta makes Gyökeres his top attacking priority.
Manchester United have also shown interest in the former Coventry City striker, who has enjoyed a sensational spell in Portugal. Since joining Sporting in 2023, Gyökeres has netted an extraordinary 97 goals in just 102 appearances across all competitions.
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Sporting president Frederico Varandas recently confirmed there is a “strong likelihood” that Gyökeres will depart this summer. Speaking over the weekend, Varandas also acknowledged that the club will not insist on receiving the full release clause, believed to be just under £85 million, though reports suggest the player has grown frustrated with Sporting’s financial stance during negotiations.
Arsenal - Viktor Gyökeres - Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres (Image credit: Getty Images)
As the Portuguese giants brace for his potential exit, they are already working on strengthening their attack. Sporting are close to completing the signing of 19-year-old Peruvian striker Victor Guzman from Alianza Lima. The highly rated teenager is expected to initially join the club’s under-23 squad, but is seen as a long-term investment.
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Guzman, speaking after Alianza’s B team victory over Universitario Deportes, confirmed his excitement about the move. “I am very happy and excited about what lies ahead, and I will continue to work as I have done so far,” he toldA Bola. “Sporting is a historic club in Portugal, and it is Cristiano Ronaldo’s club. I don’t have the exact day of my trip to Portugal, but it’s next week.”
The youngster also expressed his gratitude to Alianza Lima, adding: “I’m very thankful to Alianza. It’s a very nice thing for me to have shared all this time with them. They’re great people and I know they’ll take this club forward.”
Guzman has reportedly agreed to a three-year contract and becomes the latest in a growing list of young talents being brought in by Sporting. The club are also monitoring Union Saint-Gilloise striker Franjo Ivanović as they look to further bolster their attacking ranks.
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