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Arsenal transfer chief Andrea Berta has brokered a deal for Arsenal to sign Viktor Gyokeres (Picture: Getty)
Viktor Gyokeres appears set to join Arsenal this summer after a huge breakthrough was made in negotiations with Sporting Lisbon.
The Sweden international had rejected the overtures of Manchester United and his former boss Ruben Amorim to make it clear he wanted to join the north London club above anyone else.
Juventus also registered an interest, but the 27-year-old had eyes only for Arsenal who had made recruiting a new striker one of their main priorities in the transfer window.
Sporting had feared that Gyokeres would be willing to go on strike in order to facilitate a move to his preferred destination.
Arsenal had been haggling over a fee which threatened to scupper a deal but, according to CNN Portugal, a resolution has been struck.
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A delegation, led by Berta, jetted in to Lisbon on Friday and agreed a deal that will see Arsenal pay an initial fee of €65million.
The Gunners could end up paying a further €15m, depending on whether or not certain performance related criteria are met.
SL Benfica v Sporting CP - Portuguese Cup 2024/2025 - Final
Arsenal are set to confirm the signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisonb (Picture: Getty)
Gyokeres is understood to have agreed a five-year deal already and Arsenal could make an announcement as early as next week.
Earlier in the window it appeared as though Benjamin Sesko was cemented as their No.1 target.
The Bundesliga club, however, remained steadfast in their determination not to sell their prize asset for anything less than €90m which forced Arsenal to look elsewhere.
Expert analysis: Viktor Gyokeres
Sporting Clube de Portugal v Vitoria SC - Liga Portugal Betclic
Gyokeres has garnered interest from a host of Premier League clubs (Picture: Getty)
Gyokeres is a bunch of different strikers blended into one. He’s a bulldozer, but he’s also got that turn of pace and knack of finding himself in shooting areas. Some strikers, you can see they overthink things, but he’ll shoot first and ask questions later.
At 6ft 2in, he could definitely add an aerial presence to his game to take himself to the next level, but he’s very good at using his chest as a magnet to win these aerial duels.
He may not be as fearless as others when it comes to aerial duels, but he knows how to use his strengths to his advantage to hold up the ball and bring others into play.
He’s not someone like Roberto Firmino who is going to be dropping deep, so if Arsenal need to change certain things to get the best out of Gyokeres then they should.
Zach Lowy, European football expert
Arsenal, meanwhile, have signed midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
The Spain international, 26, moves to the Emirates Stadium on a long-term deal after the Gunners reportedly triggered his £51million release clause.
Euro 2024 winner Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid.
Zubimendi told the club website: ‘This is a huge moment in my career. It’s the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are.
‘I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.’
Gunners boss Arteta is confident Zubimendi can help reinforce his midfield options, having seen Thomas Partey’s contract expire and Jorginho also leave the club.
‘Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team. He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us,’ Arteta said.
‘The standard he has consistently performed at over the last few seasons for both club and country is exactly why we are so excited to have him with us. We all welcome Martin and his family to the club.’
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