OFFICIAL NOW: Announcement coming up shortly as Agent arrives in London to complete deal for £70m this morning – Congratulations Arsenal fans
OFFICIAL NOW: Announcement coming up shortly as Agent arrives in London to complete deal for £70m this morning – Congratulations Arsenal fans
Arsenal are expected to pay an initial fee of £54.8million with £8.6m in add-ons to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP this summer, it has been claimed.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been long chasing a move for the Sweden international, who scored 54 goals and provided 13 assists in 52 appearances for Sporting last season.
But Sporting’s £60.5m plus £8.6m demand looked to have put a deal on hold. Although there was some concern that a move could collapse, football.london understands that talks have been reignited this weekend and Arsenal are now optimistic that a transfer can be completed.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Gunners are anticipated to spend £54.8m plus £8.6m in add-ons to bring Gyokeres to the Emirates Stadium. That is £5.7m less than Sporting’s initial demand for the 27-year-old forward, who has agreed a five-year contract in north London.
It’s added that, while Arsenal have negotiated a lower fee, Sporting no longer have to pay a 10 per cent agent commission, which was required in their initial asking price.
Gyokeres’ representative has, therefore, allowed Arsenal to spend less, while Sporting are scheduled to receive the same amount, due to not having to deduct a now waived commission in a move crucial to securing the breakthrough in negotiations.
As well as this, the former Coventry City and Brighton man has not turned up to pre-season training at Sporting in a bid to force through a move. Gyokeres has made it clear throughout the summer that Arsenal is his preferred destination, despite interest from Manchester United and Juventus.
The Gunners have been active in the transfer market at the start of this month. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi have come through the doors in north London, while Noni Madueke is expected to become their fourth arrival in a £52million deal from Chelsea.
But Arteta’s men also want to get a striker across the line, with Gyokeres their number one target. While Arsenal have been trying to get a deal done for some time, Sporting’s demand put a delay on his proposed move to the Gunners, even if the player has made it evident he wants to leave.
Speaking in an interview with Agencia Lusa (via Record) on Sunday morning, Sporting president Frederico Varandas addressed the current situation and a potential move for Gyokeres. “We’re calm. Everything will be resolved when the window closes, a hefty fine and an apology to the group,” he said.
“If they [clubs] don’t want to pay the fair market price for Viktor Gyokeres, we will be very comfortable with that for the next three years.
“If someone puts pressure on me to facilitate a departure, they are also making the player’s exit even more complicated. Nobody is above the club. Whoever they are.”
