Viktor Gyokeres transfer is now close to being finalised, with reports of a compromise on the contested add-on payments between Arsenal and Sporting CP.
LISBON, PORTUGAL: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Liga Portugal Betclic match between Sporting CP and Estrela da Amadora at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 01, 2024. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Nuno Farinha of CNN Portugal reports that Arsenal’s deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres is close to being finalised.
The initial fee of €63.5m with add-ons of €10m has already been agreed in principle, but the nature of those add-ons has been contested in recent days.
The Gunners reportedly wanted €3m “easy” add-ons with €7m that are a bit more difficult to achieve, but the latest information is that it’s going to be roughly half and half. €5m will be virtually guaranteed, with the other €5m more difficult to attain.
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
David Ornstein reported earlier this week that Arsenal and Sporting still needed to put the finishing touches to the add-on criteria, adding that these are natural parts of the closing stages of negotiations and it can get a little bit tense and complicated.
Yet Ornstein went on to say that Arsenal are in a very, very advanced position. Though the deal isn’t done yet, the Gunners will be hopeful they can sort it in time for the pre-season tour of Asia.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 12: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Borussia Dortmund at on February 12, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/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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