Sporting’s talismanic striker hints at summer exit after sealing double, with Arsenal ready to meet price and personal terms already believed to be agreed.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - JANUARY 22: Viktor Gyökeres of Sporting Lisbon in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between RB Leipzig and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Leipzig Stadium on January 22, 2025 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Viktor Gyokeres has refused to rule out a summer transfer amid intensifying speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal, following a remarkable season in which he fired Sporting to the Primeira Liga title and Portuguese Cup with 54 goals and 13 assists across 52 games.
The 26-year-old Swede, who struck a dramatic 101st-minute equaliser in Sunday’s Taça de Portugal final to force extra time against Benfica, was characteristically restrained when asked about his future.
“Let us see,” Gyokeres said. “It’s hard for me to say, because yeah it is football and you never know what’s going to happen in the summer. So for me to say anything else than that is impossible.”
LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 5: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP celebrates after scoring a goal 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 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
That ambiguity has done little to dampen the growing sense within Arsenal circles that the striker is heading to north London. As we previously reported on DailyCannon, all indicators suggest the Gunners have already agreed personal terms, and Sporting are open to closing the deal swiftly to facilitate their own summer rebuild.
Asked directly about Arsenal’s interest, Gyokeres replied: “I don’t know, I just focus on this. I’ve tried to focus on the last games because it’s so important and I don’t want to think about anything else. So yeah, if anything is true, let’s see in the summer.”
LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 5: Head Coach Josep Guardiola of Manchester City congratulates goal scorer Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP at the end of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Sporting CP and Manchester City at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 5, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
While Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG have all been credited with interest in recent weeks, sources suggest Arsenal’s early moves and willingness to meet Sporting’s £60 million valuation has put them at the front of the queue. The striker is expected to earn between £160,000 and £200,000 a week should the transfer proceed.
Former club Coventry City are also monitoring developments closely. The Championship side negotiated a sell-on clause when Gyokeres moved to Lisbon for £20 million last summer, meaning any deal would represent a sizeable windfall.
For now, though, Gyokeres remains focused on celebrating a historic campaign. “We’ve had an amazing season and I’m just proud to have helped the team finish it in this way,” he said after lifting the cup in Jamor.
Arsenal, desperate for a clinical centre-forward to take them beyond perennial second-place finishes, may soon be the beneficiaries of that form. But if Gyokeres is already packing for London, he’s not saying…yet.
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