Arsenal close to agreeing deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting

Arsenal are reportedly close to signing Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer as they seek to strengthen their attacking options.

The Gunners, who struggled to score consistently last season, were linked with RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko and Sporting sensation Viktor Gyokeres this summer.

However, Arsenal have finalized personal terms with the Swedish striker, who is committed to joining the Premier League this summer. With Gyokeres’ transfer nearly complete, Arsenal have shifted their focus away from pursuing Leipzig’s Sesko.

After months of talks with the Portuguese club, Arsenal are on the verge of signing Sporting star forward, though Mikel Arteta’s team are yet to reach a final agreement with the Portuguese champions.

According to the Record, Arsenal officials have been engaged in negotiations in Lisbon since Friday, reportedly presenting a verbal offer of €65 million (£56m) as a fixed fee, plus up to €15 million (£13m) in performance-based bonuses, aligning with Sporting initial €80 million valuation.

However, the Portuguese giants are holding firm, insisting on a €70 million (£60m) fixed fee with the remaining €10 million (£9m) in add-ons.

Gyokeres has netted 85 goals and provided 26 assists in 92 appearances for Sporting

The Reports add that negotiations with Leipzig and Sesko have proven overly complex, prompting Arsenal to shift their focus to alternative targets.

A Bola further suggests that Arsenal could structure the remaining €5 million in bonuses to be easily attainable, effectively treating them as part of a fixed fee to satisfy Sporting’s demands.

The 27-year-old was due to return on Monday, a week after some of his teammates, but has been granted an extension until Friday as talks with Arsenal progress. Uncertainty persists regarding whether he will return to Sporting at all.

Arsenal’s primary objective for the upcoming season is to secure a prolific striker, addressing the extended periods during the 2024/25 campaign when injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz left the squad without a dependable striker.

Since his move to Sporting from Coventry for approximately £20 million in 2023, Gyokeres has bagged an impressive 97 goals in 102 appearances over two seasons in Portugal.

Gyokeres delivered an extraordinary 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions last season, highlighted by a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League, significantly contributing to Sporting victories in both the Portuguese Primeira Liga and the Portuguese Cup.

A move to Arsenal would signify Gyokeres’ return to English football, having first joined Brighton in January 2018 before moving to Coventry after loan spells at St. Pauli and Swansea.