Arsenal accelerates signing of Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP. This fell in the latest development of their club hierarchy direct talks with the ownership this week. The meeting represents a key step in negotiations has progressed to an advanced stage, but Gyokeres and Sporting are at loggerheads regarding his value.
The Price Dispute: Gunners vs Sporting CP
At the centre of the transfer is a bitter dispute. Arsenal Accelerates the Swedish’ Striker’s pursuit as Gyokeres is adamant that Sporting agreed last summer that he could leave for €60m–€70m (£50m–£59m). There is no official document for this, but Gyokeres insists there was a sort of gentleman’s agreement between him and the club after he scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portuguese club.
Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has publicly denied that there was ever any fee or official agreement. He has also charged Çetinkaya with making threats and blackmail to try and force a move and also stated that Sporting wouldn’t back down on Gyokeres €100m (£84m) release clause. Varandas stated: “Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m+€10m because I never promised that”.
Gunners Strategic Moves
Arsenal accelerates Gyokeres pursuit are now poised to make a formal offer, which is to be between €60m+€10m in add-ons, to test Sporting’s resolve. Although RB Leipzig and Benjamin Šeško is still the preferred target for Arsenal because of the age of the player (22 years old) and that he wants to compete with ever-present Kai Havertz, their talks for Gyokeres have now developed even better over this week.
Football London have confirmed today that Arsenal allows its hierarchy to combine the Swedish striker and the potential to go into make a move for Gyokeres should they discover that Šeško’s €80m (£67m) valuation was not feasible for them in a team rebuild effort.
Family Ties and Rival Interest
Although Gyokeres has aspirations as a professional, familial circumstances create complications with a potential move. His uncle told me over dinner that Gyokeres’ family asked him to remain in Lisbon, and his partner, Ines Aguiar, is pushing for him to decline the transfer.
As for Gyokeres, he has suitors in Manchester United. His former Sporting manager Ruben Amorim is in contact with Gyokeres’ camp. However, with Arsenal pursuing a Champions League spot, they have more ammunition than United. Moreover, United aren’t featuring in European football next season. Whilst Gyokeres’ release clause has been reported at €85m (£71m) with Sporting rejecting bids below this figure. He has indicated to Sporting that it may come down to the dictates of dramatic measures, possibly even a strike. As is often the case, the situation represents a game of chicken.
What Comes Next?
For Arsenal, this will become increasingly urgent. Mikel Arteta will want to have identified a suitable “natural striker” ahead of pre-season activity. Due to injuries to Havertz and Gabriel Jesus made last season’s title challenge more difficult than it should have been. Šeško’s deal still struggling to be in conclusion. Moreover, Gyokeres is applying pressure so that he can get his release to England. Their next formal offer will ultimately force a conclusion to one of the more fractious and contentious transfers this summer. As Varandas warned, “This game the player is playing makes everything a lot worse for the player”. If Arsenal can balance the timings, for the moment, they appear to have the edge.
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