Viktor Gyökeres will travel to London on Friday to undergo a medical ahead of completing his blockbuster move to Arsenal, with a final package agreed at €63.5 million plus €10 million in add-ons.
The Swedish striker has been at the top of Mikel Arteta’s summer wishlist for months, and after weeks of talks and posturing from Sporting CP, Arsenal have finally broken through. The Gunners now expect Gyökeres to complete his medical this week and be unveiled before the club’s pre-season tour of Asia.
Arsenal ready to complete €73.5m Gyökeres signing
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Sporting held firm on their valuation of the 26-year-old, despite the existence of a previous gentleman’s agreement between the club and the player’s agent. That deal, reportedly struck under former sporting director Hugo Viana, would have allowed Gyökeres to leave for a lower fee if certain performance targets were met.
But Viana is no longer in charge, and Sporting shifted the goalposts. Arsenal, initially reluctant to go beyond €60m, have now agreed a package closer to the club’s internal valuation and it’s understood that relationships between all parties helped soften the final negotiation.
Gyökeres has already informed his representatives that he only wants Arsenal. Despite interest from Manchester United and a late enquiry from a Saudi Pro League club, the striker is fixated on joining Mikel Arteta’s project. He’s expected to sign a long-term contract in North London after completing his medical on Friday.
Arteta wants Gyökeres ready for pre-season
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Arsenal are scheduled to fly out for their pre-season tour of Asia next week, and Arteta is desperate to integrate Gyökeres into the squad early. The Gunners face Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City within their first six games of the Premier League season and the manager wants his new No.9 firing from the start.
Gyökeres scored 43 goals in all competitions last season and has emerged as one of the most complete strikers in Europe. His physicality, finishing, and off-ball movement offer something Arsenal haven’t had for a while and he’s expected to start the campaign as the team’s leading centre-forward.
While Kai Havertz played that role in the second half of last season, Gyökeres will bring a different dynamic entirely. His ability to pin defenders, create space for others, and attack the box early could give Arsenal the killer instinct they’ve been missing in tight games.
Final thoughts
After months of speculation, Arsenal finally have their man. Gyökeres is on his way to London, and unless something dramatic changes in the next 48 hours, he’ll be officially unveiled as an Arsenal player before the weekend.
It’s a major statement from the club and a signal that this squad is being built to win now. Arsenal came close last season. Gyökeres could be the piece that takes them all the way.
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