Viktor Gyokeres, who has been the subject of persistent transfer rumours linking him to Arsenal, now faces an uncertain move as negotiations have reportedly reached a standstill due to three key obstacles with Sporting Lisbon.
This summer, Arsenal have already strengthened their squad with the acquisitions of Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, and Noni Madueke, placing them among the top spenders across Europe. Their ongoing transfer activity could see outlays reach the £300m mark, as Arteta’s side remains in pursuit of a striker, an attacking midfielder, and a centre-back.
The Gunners are closing in on securing a centre-back, with their primary target having already bade farewell to his current club. Meanwhile, discussions with Gyokeres, 27, continue; the Swede has enjoyed a prolific spell at Sporting Lisbon, netting an impressive 97 goals in 102 appearances over the past two seasons, earning him a spot among Europe’s elite scorers.
Arsenal, turning their attention to Gyokeres after weighing options such as Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins, have faced tough negotiations. Despite having reached a tentative agreement on the transfer fee, progress has stunted over how the deal should be structured.
Portuguese publication A Bola, relayed by Sport Witness, points to Arsenal’s current impasse rooted in issues concerning bonus payments, the timing of instalments, and the solidarity mechanisms tied to Gyokeres’ youth clubs. Sporting are intent on splitting the training compensation fee, a point of contention, along with Arsenal’s proposal to spread payments over a longer period, while Sporting demands a tighter timeline.
Despite the complexities, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano provides a glimmer of hope, stating that Arsenal “remain confident” in finalising the deal. Discussions are set to continue, with negotiations over additional clauses still to be ironed out. Sporting Lisbon’s preference is for straightforward bonus conditions, something Arsenal must address to push the transfer towards completion.
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