Arsenal appear to be closing in on their preferred attacking reinforcement this summer, with advanced negotiations underway for the signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP. Having evaluated multiple striker options, the Gunners have reportedly turned their full attention to the Swedish international, side-lining previous target Benjamin Sesko in the process.
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Arsenal on the verge of signing Gyokeres Sporting remain firm on €75m demandsWill stop their Sesko pursuitFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
has indicated that Arsenal are nearing the final stages of securing Gyokeres' signature, with a five-year contract believed to be agreed between the player and the Premier League side. The negotiations with Sporting, however, are ongoing as both parties work through the financial details of the transfer.
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Gyokeres is understood to be “betrayed and tired” with Sporting’s handling of the situation. Reports suggest he believes an earlier understanding with the club, an informal agreement allowing him to leave for a reduced fee, has not been respected. Sporting president Federico Varandas has acknowledged the club’s willingness to part ways with their top scorer but maintains they are not ready to let him go without receiving what they consider a fair price.
"Sporting does not need to sell him, but we remain sensitive to the dreams of Viktor and any of our athletes," he said.
"After weeks of meetings, we are not asking for the release clause and will be reasonable regarding the price we ask for Viktor. Today, I believe there is a strong probability he will leave. We have been watching the market and I saw [Martin] Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, leave for €65 million.
"I saw Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both forwards but who, in my opinion, do not have Viktor's market value or quality, being negotiated for around €75m. I'm not going to say what the price is, the player knows what it is. I can tell you that Viktor won't leave for €60m plus €10m, he won't, he just won't."
DID YOU KNOW?
Gyokeres’ goal-scoring exploits last season were nothing short of extraordinary. The 26-year-old netted 39 times in just 33 league appearances, a tally unmatched across Europe’s top ten leagues. While Arsenal had previously been linked with RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, the progress made with Gyokeres suggests that their interest in the Slovenian may now be cooling.
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Should the deal go through, Gyokeres would represent a marquee signing for the Gunners, someone capable of transforming their attacking threat and elevating the team’s ambitions in both domestic and European competitions. With his physical profile and scoring pedigree, he fits the mould of a traditional No. 9 that Arsenal have long sought to add to their ranks.
