Why Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer may be blocked as summer issue explained

Viktor Gyokeres is one of the names on Arsenal’s list of potential striker signings as we approach the summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old is one of Europe’s most in-form frontmen, with Gyokeres scoring 52 goals in 50 appearances for Sporting CP throughout the 2024/25 season. If that wasn’t enough, the former Coventry man also has 13 assists to his name.

The Sweden international netted 43 goals in 50 appearances for the Portuguese side last season so has demonstrated over the last two years why he deserves a move to a club such as Arsenal. football.london understands the Gunners have been tracking the forward for some time, with new sporting director Andrea Berta a huge admirer of his talents.

With Sporting set to demand a figure in the region of £60million, Arsenal could end up signing Gyokeres if Berta manages to successfully negotiate a deal.

Technically, Gyokeres could seal a move to Arsenal as early as June 1. The Premier League transfer window will open between Sunday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 10 due to an exceptional registration period for the expanded Club World Cup. All clubs in the Premier League are free to do deals, not just those who are playing in the tournament. The transfer window will then open again on Monday, June 16 with clubs free to do business until Monday, September 1.

Arsenal may not be able to sign Gyokeres until the second transfer window opens on June 16, however. The striker, at present, is firmly focusing on Sporting CP and his side’s remaining Liga Portugal game against Vitoria SC this weekend. Sporting and Benfica are currently both on 79 points in the race to be crowned champions, with Sporting boasting a better goal difference, but only by three goals.

After the final league match on Saturday, Sporting will then face Benfica in the Taca de Portugal cup final on Sunday, May 25. Even after this match, though, Gyokeres will have no time to rest as he will join up with the Sweden squad for international friendlies against Hungary and Algeria. The game against Hungary is scheduled for June 6 while the match against Algeria will take place on June 10. These fixtures essentially mean that Arsenal would be blocked from sealing a deal for Gyokeres during the early summer transfer window, as the frontman will be busy with his national team commitments.

Following these two fixtures, Gyokeres is likely to want to take some much needed time off and perhaps ponder his future on a beach lounger ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. Arsenal may have to wait until the end of June for a potential deal to be struck, although with the transfer window not closing until September 1, there is plenty of time for Berta to work his magic.