Andrea Berta at Southampton on the final day of the Premier League season.Andrea Berta at Southampton on the final day of the Premier League season.
Andrea Berta at Southampton on the final day of the Premier League season. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has responded to Arsenal transfer talk following the conclusion of his season in Portugal.
The Portuguese outfit finished their 2024/25 campaign with a dramatic 3-1 win over rivals Benfica in the Taca de Portugal. Gyokeres’ side had been losing 1-0 until he blasted home a penalty in the 90+11 minute to take the match to extra time.
Sporting then scored two goals in extra time, avoiding penalties, and completing a memorable comeback. After the game, Gyokeres was once again asked about his future amid claims that he had agreed a contract deal with Arsenal.
Viktor Gyokeres responds to Arsenal links
Transfer specialist Sebastien Vidal has gone as far as to suggest that Berta and Gyokeres had agreed a five-year contract ahead of the summer. The striker has a release clause of around £85 million in his Sporting contract, which would green light any contract talk should Arsenal offer that sum. It has also been widely reported that the Gunners are looking to convince Sporting to sell their star man for a lower price of £59 million.
However, despite reports that the move was effectively signed and sealed, Gyokeres remained coy about his future after beating Benfica. Liverpool and Manchester United, the latter managed by former Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim, have also been linked with the player.
Speaking after the win over Benfica, Gyokeres said: “Let’s see, it’s hard for me to say. It’s football and you never know what’s going to happen in the summer. For me to say anything else than that is impossible. I don’t know [about rumours with Arsenal]. I just focus on this, try to focus on this last game because it’s been so important that I didn’t want to think about anything else. If anything is true, let’s see in the summer.”
Mikel Arteta outlines importance of Andrea Berta
If the striker’s words are to be taken at face value, that would suggest that Berta and Arsenal are not as far into contract talks with the player as suggested and would come as a blow to the club. Gyokeres is nonetheless clearly leaving the door open to a summer exit.
Mikel Arteta was asked about the importance that Berta will have over the summer transfer window ahead of Sunday’s match against Southampton. The former Atletico Madrid chief has taken over from Edu as the transfer strategist at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta said: “I think he’s going to be a big contributor with his experience, and the fact that he’s already won in very difficult contexts and the way he’s built teams, he is exceptional. I think we have to share that responsibility and Andrea is going to be a key part to driving the plans and the ideas we have and try to execute them and we are here to support him.”
In other news, Chelsea and Arsenal target excluded from Man Utd squad hours after WAG teases transfer.
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