In a significant development for Arsenal fans, The Athletic’s David Ornstein has reported that the North London club is in the final stages of securing a deal for Sporting Lisbon’s prolific striker, Viktor Gyökeres.
The transfer saga of Gyökeres, which has captured considerable attention this summer, seemed destined to prolong until the last gasp of the transfer window. However, recent updates suggest a resolution might be imminent.
Gyökeres, a potent goal-scorer with a remarkable tally of 97 goals in 102 outings for Sporting, has long envisioned a trouble-free departure based on a gentleman’s agreement with Sporting’s hierarchy. Yet, complications arose when the Portuguese side revised their expectations, seeking a heftier transfer fee, thereby adding layers of complexity to negotiations.
Ranked second among Europe’s top scorers this year, Gyökeres has been identified as Arsenal’s prime target to bolster their attacking line-up. Despite links to Benjamin Šeško and Ollie Watkins, the Swedish international has emerged as the preferred choice for Mikel Arteta, as Arsenal look to bolster their attacking options beyond Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
It’s understood that Arsenal reached a personal terms agreement with the 27-year-old earlier this month, reportedly securing his commitment to a lucrative five-year deal. Talks have since shifted focus to finalising the financial structure of the transfer with Sporting.
Ornstein revealed in Sunday’s report that Arsenal are in the ‘process of completing a move for Gyökeres after taking the final steps in negotiations with Sporting Lisbon’ and have ‘made formal advances on deal terms over the weekend in a bid to secure the striker’s services.’
If completed, Gyökeres would become Arsenal’s fourth signing of the summer, following Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Christian Nørgaard, with a deal for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke also agreed.
The protracted negotiations have been strained by Sporting’s president, Frederico Varandas, standing firm on an agreement ostensibly in place for a €60 million flat fee plus €10 million in add-ons. Arsenal’s recent proposal reportedly exceeds this amount, reflecting their commitment to securing the striker.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has hinted at Arsenal’s willingness to approach a €70 million upfront fee with an additional €10 million in potential add-ons, reinforcing an agreement edging ever closer. Ornstein later detailed that the clubs have come to terms on a ‘€63.5 million fixed upfront fee plus €10 million in add-ons’, with Gyökeres’ agent even foregoing his fee to expedite the move.
As the Arsenal faithful eagerly await official confirmation, this breakthrough suggests that Viktor Gyökeres could soon be wearing the storied red and white, fulfilling Mikel Arteta’s ambition to bring in a specialist centre-forward.
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