Arsenal advancing in deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres as negotiations with Sporting CP intensify

Arsenal are working on a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres, football.london understands, after talks with RB Leipzig over a move for Benjamin Sesko have stalled. The Swede is very keen on a move to the north London side but similarly with the German club, Arsenal have the challenge of agreeing a deal with Sporting CP who want a deal in the region of £61million plus £8.6million in add-ons.

Reports elsewhere have claimed the Gunners have now offered £56.1million plus £13million in add-ons. The Sporting president has been very outspoken on what they would not be accepting, and that despite potential past verbal suggestions, they would be trying to maximise

“They should know me better by now,” Frederico Varandas said. “Threats, blackmail and insults do not work with me.

“And I can guarantee one thing: Viktor will not leave for €60million (£52million) plus €10million (£8.6million). I never promised this.

“With this game that the agent is playing, the situation is only getting worse. To date, Sporting have not had an offer for Viktor Gyokeres. Not today or last summer.”

While Sesko was certainly believed to be the player whom the club had a preference for this summer window, Gyokeres is not a name that has solely emerged with the arrival of Andrea Berta as sporting director, although it is known the Italian is a big fan of the Swede.

football.london reported in March 2024 that Arsenal were closely following the progress of Gyokeres following his move to Sporting after many years in England, most notably with Coventry City. Although the move looks to be advancing at a much later date, the player’s position has always been clear: he wants Arsenal.

Personal terms are believed to be a formality, and Mikel Arteta has spoken frequently about how a player’s desire to play for Arsenal is always an attractive trait. Gyokeres is understood to have turned down potential approaches from elsewhere in order to wait for the Gunners to make their move.

Furthermore, football.london made aware that Arsenal have always been very keen to conclude a deal for a striker before their pre-season tour of Asia with Mikel Arteta believed to be a driving force behind a swift resolution. This has perhaps seen a more proactive switch from Sesko earlier in the window, helped by their known long term appreciation for Gyokeres and Berta’s significant keenness on the player.