Arsenal are continuing negotiations with Sporting over a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer, and they could learn a lesson from bitter rivals Tottenham
16:10, 13 Jul 2025
Viktor Gyokeres' move to Arsenal has hit a stumbling block so far
Viktor Gyokeres' move to Arsenal has hit a stumbling block so far
Arsenal could do well to heed some wisdom from their fierce competitors as they aim to seal the deal for Sporting Lisbon's ace striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Mikel Arteta's side have been locked in talks with Sporting over the past week, hoping to lure Gyokeres to the Emirates Stadium. Gyokeres' stunning tally of 54 goals in 52 matches for Sporting last season has sparked rumours of a hefty Premier League transfer this summer.
Arsenal have been on the hunt for fresh striking talent, and sporting director Andrea Berta is reportedly in discussions with Sporting over a potential £69million deal for Gyokeres. However, negotiations between Arsenal and Sporting have hit a snag over the payment structure for the deal, reports Football London, as Gunners fans grow restless.
Gyokeres appears set on a move to Arsenal this summer, skipping his scheduled return to Sporting's training this week. The Swedish goal machine, 27, is hoping to force the hand of his current club.
Sporting's president Frederico Varandas weighed in on Gyokeres' future amidst the ongoing Arsenal speculation. He told Agencia Lusa (via Record): "We're calm. Everything will be resolved when the window closes, a hefty fine and an apology to the group.
Andrea Berta, Sporting Director of Arsenal, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on April 29, 2025 in London, England
Andrea Berta is trying to thrash out a deal for Gyokeres(Image: 2025 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
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"If they [clubs] don't want to pay the fair market price for Viktor Gyokeres, we will be very comfortable with that for the next three years.
"If someone puts pressure on me to facilitate a departure, they are also making the player's exit even more complicated. Nobody is above the club. Whoever they are."
Sporting are reportedly demanding a fee of around £69m including add-ons this summer. However, earlier reports in the summer suggested that £56m was the asking price.
If accurate, this wouldn't be the first instance of Sporting altering their position midway through transfer negotiations. Back in 2023, Pedro Porro was close to signing for Tottenham Hotspur when the deal nearly fell through.
The Athletic reported in January 2023 that the deal was "off" after Sporting shifted their stance on the terms for the transfer. This, according to the report, was despite Varandas allegedly telling Porro that he could leave Sporting during that window.
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Ultimately, Spurs and Sporting did manage to strike a deal for Porro, with the right-back moving to North London a few days after the aforementioned report and becoming one of Tottenham's key players.
That saw Porro join on loan before the £39.7m transfer was made permanent in the summer.
If this pattern persists, Arsenal may yet clinch the race to sign Gyokeres, and a deal with Sporting could eventually be reached.