Arsenal’s private feelings on Viktor Gyokeres transfer as move hits major stumbling block

Arsenal remain optimistic they will sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP this summer, it has been claimed. Gyokeres, 27, who scored 54 goals and provided 13 assists in 52 matches last season, has informed the Primeira Liga club that he won’t return to pre-season training to force through a move.

Reports in Portugal claim that Gyokeres is keen to take drastic action to get his proposed move to the Emirates Stadium across the line. However, Sporting aren’t willing to let him go without a fight.

Gyokeres has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract at Arsenal but the clubs have stalled on a fee. Sporting want around £70million with at least £60m up front and the rest in add-ons while Sweden international Gyokores has insisted he has a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ allowing him to leave for less.

Sporting president Frederico Vandaras has denied that such agreement is in place and the Portuguese club are determined to stand firm on their asking price, even if Gyokeres has a £85m release clause.

That is the big obstacle but Arsenal are confident that a deal will get done for Gyokeres to become their new No.9, according to The Mirror. Gyokeres is making it clear that he doesn’t want to return to Sporting for pre-season in a further stand-off but talks are being seen as drawn out rather than stalled.

Sporting, meanwhile, have told Gyokeres that he must return to training on Saturday, after missing the start of pre-season, having made his position evident to the club throughout the summer.

When asked about his Sporting future and whether an exit was planned for this summer, Gyokeres said in an interview with L’Equipe that was published on Saturday: “Maybe. That’s football, you never know. I don’t think about it; we’ll see what happens. If something happens, it will. The most important thing for me is to play for a club that really wants me.”

Quizzed on whether a move to the Premier League is an option, he added: “It’s one of the biggest leagues in Europe. I spent several years there without being able to play a single match.

“So, of course, it’s something I’d like to do. It would be a great revenge!”

Gyokeres first made the move to English football in January 2018 when he signed for Brighton from Brommapojkarna. Despite the talent he possessed, Gyokeres failed to make a single Premier League appearance for the Seagulls, playing eight matches in cup competitions, scoring once.

After spending time out on loan at St Pauli, Swansea City and Coventry City, Gyokeres left Brighton in a permanent deal in July 2021. He made the £1m move to Coventry and hit the ground running in the West Midlands, scoring 17 goals in 45 Championship matches during his first full season at the club.

He improved in his second campaign, striking 21 times in 45 appearances, making him the second-highest scorer in the league that year. Gyokeres then made the move to Sporting in July 2023.