Viktor Gyokeres’ representatives have landed in London to finalise his transfer to Arsenal, with the Gunners on the verge of a full agreement with Sporting CP.
LISBON, PORTUGAL: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Sporting CP and Manchester City at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 5, 2024. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
On Sunday evening, David Ornstein broke the news for The Athletic that Arsenal were in the process of completing a move for Viktor Gyokeres, having taken the final steps in talks with Sporting CP.
Ornstein later confirmed that a deal in principle is in place, verifying Ben Jacobs’ exclusive story that Arsenal will pay an initial fee of €63.5m (£55m) with a further €10m (£8.7m) in add-ons.
Anyone who has been following the story might be surprised by the final fee, with many reports suggesting Sporting had already rejected an even higher bid. The break in negotiations came when Gyokeres’ agent agreed to give up the fee he wanted from Sporting.
Sporting’s €70m asking price was based on the assumption they’d be handing 10% over to the agent. So Arsenal paying €63.5m but the agent removing his cut results in the same value to Sporting as a €70m bid.
SOLNA, SWEDEN: Viktor Gyokeres during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League C Group C1 match between Sweden and Slovakia at Strawberry Arena on November 16, 2024. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images
Sami Mokbel reported for the BBC that a full agreement between the two clubs should be sealed within 24 hours. The deal is in place, with only minor details being resolved. All parties are working towards Gyokeres joining Arsenal’s tour of Asia later this week.
Fabrizio Romano now reports that Gyokeres’ agents have now landed in London to seal the deal, with all set for the player to travel for a medical as soon as those last details are sorted.
Romano adds that Gyokeres never wavered in his desire to join Arsenal, even when Saudi Pro League clubs offered a much higher salary. Various sources confirm that the player has a five-year deal to 2030 lined up in north London.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 5: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Sporting CP and Manchester City at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 5, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Gyokeres’ goalscoring numbers in 2024/25 were phenomenal, with 54 goals for Sporting and a further nine for Sweden. It shouldn’t be ignored that 20 of those 63 goals were penalties, but 43 open-play goals is still a fantastic return for a single season.
The question now is whether the striker can adapt to a new team in the Premier League, where the demands are often much higher than in Portuguese football.
The player himself seemed motivated in a recent interview, saying: “It’s one of the biggest leagues in Europe. I spent several years there without being able to play a single match. So, of course, it’s something I’d like to do. It would be great revenge!”
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