“I haven’t done such to anybody before but Arteta does this to everyone…The FA should do something about it urgently”: Pep Guardiola angered by Arsenal over an agreement to sign his major transfer target as he urged FA to look into the matter urgently
Arsenal have been dealt a major boost to their hopes of signing Viktor Gyokeres. The 26-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer as Mikel Arteta hopes to bolster his frontline.
Gyokeres, who sees his contract at the Jose Alvalade Stadium expire in June 2028, featured 33 times for Sporting CP in the Portuguese top flight last season, scoring 29 goals and providing nine assists. Playing a key role in Ruben Amorim’s side, the Sweden international helped the club win the Primeira Liga title.
His impressive performances didn’t go unnoticed; in March, football.london reported that Arsenal were closely monitoring Gyokeres. While the north Londoners may be eager to secure his signature, his €100m (£84m) release clause could prove to be a stumbling block.
However, Sporting have just dropped the biggest hint yet that the Swede could be sold this summer after paying Coventry City to reduce their sell-on clause. According to Portuguese newspaper Bola Na Rede, the Sky Blues’ sell-on clause for Gyokeres has been reduced by five percent following an agreement with the Portuguese club.
The report states that Sporting have paid the Coventry City €1m (£843k) in addition to the striker achieving ‘certain objectives’ during the season. It’s said that the Championship outfit were initially entitled to 15 percent of any profit on the initial fee the Portuguese club paid for Gyokeres last summer, should he be sold.
Coventry City have now earned over £2.5m in add-ons from the initial fee of €20m (£17.5m) they received in 2023. Now, Sporting will be entitled to a greater proportion of a potential fee – which could see them lower their guard in negotiations with clubs like Arsenal, because they don’t have to pay as much back to the Sky Blues.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Arsenal’s pre-season friendly against Liverpool on Thursday night, Arteta was quizzed on his plans for the remainder of the transfer window after signing Riccardo Calafiori. The Spaniard said: “Let’s see.
“We have to wait and see the movements in the market. We have already identified the things that we can improve. We had the meetings in February, March, April. So if we can we will strengthen the team. So far I’m really happy with what we have.”
Then, when asked if Arsenal will ‘spend big money’ like they did on Declan Rice last season, Arteta replied: “We don’t expect to do anything like it. That’s the reality.”
