Arsenal’s interest in Francisco Trincão and Viktor Gyökeres will require deep pockets, with Sporting setting sky-high valuations amid Premier League competition.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 22: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP celebrates after scoring a goal during the Portuguese Cup match between Sporting CP and Amarante FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 22, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Arsenal have been made fully aware of the financial commitment required to sign Francisco Trincão or Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP, with both players valued well above their current market prices and protected by strong contracts.
Trincão, who has produced nine goals and 15 assists in 43 appearances this season, is under contract until 2027 and is protected by a €60 million release clause.
According to O Jogo, Sporting are not willing to entertain any offer below that amount, especially given that Barcelona still own 50 percent of the player’s economic rights and would therefore be entitled to half of any sale. However, the Catalan club’s buy-back option expired last summer.
Having just helped fire Portugal into the Nations League Final Four with a brace against Denmark, Trincão’s value is rising again at exactly the wrong moment for any club hoping to secure a cut-price deal. Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle United have all been credited with interest, but Sporting’s position is firm.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - MARCH 23: Francisco Trincao of Portugal celebrates scoring his team's third goal with Bernardo Silva during the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Portugal and Denmark at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 23, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
The story is similar with Gyökeres. Though his price has not been formally disclosed, Sporting are bracing for bids and have little incentive to sell cheaply.
With €74 million already banked from the sales of Geovany Quenda (17) and Dário Essugo (20) to Chelsea, the club is under no financial pressure to part with its stars. Gyökeres is widely expected to command a fee in excess of €80 million, possibly more if a bidding war develops. His agents are currently negotiating in England.
The growing interest in Trincão revives a long-dormant link with Arsenal. The Gunners were first said to be interested in the winger in January 2019 when they were rumoured to be trying to hijack Juventus’ move for the then-Braga B player.
Trincao Francisco of Portugal (L) and Kyrylo Dryshliuk of Ukraine vie for the ball during the football 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship semifinal match Ukraine vs Portugal in Vaasa, Finland on July 26, 2018. (Photo by Timo Aalto / Lehtikuva / AFP) / Finland OUT
Photo by Timo Aalto / Lehtikuva / AFP
Nothing materialised, and Trincão eventually joined Barcelona in 2020 for €31 million. Now, after rediscovering his form and influence in Lisbon, he is once again being watched closely by the same club that scouted him as a teenager.
As for Gyökeres, former Arsenal winger Anders Limpar believes he would be worth the investment. In quotes reported by A Bola, Limpar urged his compatriot to choose Arsenal over a move to Old Trafford.
“Arsenal were struggling for a long time in the Premier League and the Champions League before turning things around. Manchester United are now in one of the worst periods in their history. It would be a bad move for Gyökeres, they are struggling in all areas and, when it comes to winning games and trying to win titles, he should play for a team like Arsenal,” he said.
Sporting, for their part, are prepared to resist until they are offered full value.
In Trincão’s case, they are even considering a new contract that would give him the No. 10 shirt and eventually the captaincy.