Viktor Gyokeres is closing in on 20 goal involvements after his brace in the north London derby - which is set to trigget another payment from Arsenal to Sporting Lisbon
Viktor Gyokeres' form is due to land Sporting Lisbon another payment following his summer move
Viktor Gyokeres' form is due to land Sporting Lisbon another payment following his summer move
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Viktor Gyokeres' brace on Sunday means that Arsenal are close to forking out another contribution to Sporting Lisbon following his summer transfer.
The Swede cost the Gunners £63.5million and, despite a difficult start to life in north London, he enjoyed one of his best games thus far as he scored twice in the demolition of Tottenham. Both goals showed touches of class and mean Gyokeres has come up with 18 goal contributions.
He's scored 15 times and provided three assists. Once he hits 20 goal involvements, Portuguese newspaper O Jogo reports that a a €500,000 (£430,000) bonus clause payment will be due to the Lisbon outfit.
The agreement between between the clubs states that once he reaches 20 goal involvements. The same sum is then scheduled for every subsequent block of 20 contributions.
Sporting have continued to receive payments due to the structure of the deal they agreed with Arsenal. When Gyokeres completed 20 matches with at least 45 minutes on the pitch, they received €1.25m (£1.1m), a figure that has already been paid to them.
The Swede, whose previous stint in England saw him playing in the Championship with Coventry, has had to cop his fair share of criticism since moving to the Emirates but is confident he can continue supplying goals if he gets the right support around him.
He said: “When I’m involved like I was in the match, and get the balls around the box as well, it’s easier then to show my qualities and be able to score goals. For me, I love to score, no matter who we are playing but of course in this kind of game, it’s always enjoyable to score.
The Swede has scored 15 times for Arsenal since his summer move
The Swede has scored 15 times for Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
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“The thing is that we have to keep showing it in the next game and the game after that. There’s a lot of games to go. If we perform like this, it’s going to be good, for sure.”
Arsenal's win saw them re-establish their five point lead at the top, albeit they have played a game more. Their victory over Tottenham was timely following successive draws against Brentford and Wolves, which allowed Manchester City to close in.
Gyokeres admitted a very honest conversation followed their draw at Molineux, but believed it was in the best interests of the team. "If you’re not honest, I think it’s hard to improve," he said. "I think that’s the most important thing, to be honest, especially in this team. So yes, it was a good chat. Most of us spoke. It’s important sometimes just to say what you feel and to let it out in the group."