 "Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters")
Arsenal are finally set to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP after weeks of intense negotiations and rumours. The Gunners have reportedly beaten Manchester United to secure the Swedish striker for the upcoming season.
The transfer saga turned messy when Gyokeres refused to return to pre-season training in Lisbon. He even sent a legal letter to Sporting, claiming that an agreement over his release fee had been broken.
Here’s how much Gyokeres will get if he moves to Arsenal
However, it has now emerged that Arsenal are close to ending the drama after agreeing a deal worth £55 million (over Rs 600 crore) plus £8.6 million (over Rs 95 crore) in bonuses. The 27-year-old is set to sign a five-year contract.
According to The Athletic, Gyokeres wanted to join Mikel Arteta’s squad and not Man Utd, where his former boss Ruben Amorim is currently placed. He will reportedly join his new teammates on their pre-season tour in Singapore.
If the deal is finalised, Gyokeres will become Arsenal’s fifth signing this summer after Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
“You know I cannot comment on any player that is not part of our group yet. When we have something concrete to offer in any case to any player, we will do that,” Arteta was quoted as saying about Gyokeres in Daily Express.
Gyokeres caught attention after scoring 54 goals in 52 matches for Sporting last season. He played a key role in helping Sporting win both the league and cup titles in the 2024-25 season.
After leaving Brighton & Hove Albion for around £1m to join Coventry City in 2021, Gyokeres became a key player for the Championship side before sealing a £17m move to Sporting in 2023.
He scored 97 goals and provided 28 assists at Sporting in two seasons, helping them win back-to-back league titles and the Taca de Portugal last season.
Arsenal, on the other hand, were lacking a natural No. 9, relying mainly on Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. They will hope that Gyokeres can provide the missing spark to push the team towards a Premier League title this season.