Mikel Arteta Arsenal
Arsenal is reportedly on the brink of securing a significant transfer coup, having reached an agreement with Viktor Gyokeres on a five-year contract. The club is now in advanced negotiations with Sporting Lisbon over the transfer fee for the Swedish striker. Gyokeres has been a standout performer in Portugal, scoring 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting since his move from Coventry City. With Arsenal in need of a centre-forward, Gyokeres has been a top target alongside RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
Frederico Varandas said: “Sporting does not need to sell Gyokeres. We have already passed the stage where we had to sell our best assets. We do not have to sell him. In the same way that we do not have to sell him, we are still sensitive to Viktor’s dreams. If you ask me today, there is a strong possibility that Viktor will leave. In the last few weeks, we have been keeping an eye on the market, I saw a player like [Martin] Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, go to Arsenal for €65million. I saw two players being sold in the Premier League, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who do not have the quality of Viktor, in my opinion, were sold for around €70million. We are talking about players who are 26-years-old. So, given the demands we are making in relation to Viktor’s value, I believe he could leave, unless he has the worst agent in the world. Which I find hard to believe. I won’t say what the price we asked for. But I can guarantee that Viktor will not leave for €60m plus €10m. Viktor already knows and I want Sporting fans to take advantage of this summer, in which they are two-time champions, in which they have a double, to celebrate, to be calm, because there are only two scenarios. One club respects the price requested by Sporting and Viktor will fulfil his dreams, and from that moment we will be ready to attack the targets, or that club does not want Viktor and Viktor, with a three-year contract, stays at Sporting and we will be very happy. I have been in football for 20 years and have already experienced countless transfer dramas. The transfer window is a cure for any ill. Disgruntled players are not a problem. Viktor staying will not be a problem for us, it will be a problem for our opponents.”
Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, has been instrumental in the negotiations for Gyokeres, as well as for Benjamin Sesko. The breakthrough in talks with Gyokeres’ camp suggests that Arsenal is edging closer to finalizing the deal. However, the negotiations with Sporting Lisbon could be challenging due to the club’s firm stance on the transfer fee. Gyokeres had hoped to leave for £60 million, but Sporting’s president, Frederico Varandas, has dismissed these claims, indicating that the asking price could range between £60-85 million.
The situation is further complicated by Gyokeres’ reported reluctance to return to Lisbon for pre-season, stemming from his dissatisfaction with Sporting’s negotiating position. Despite these hurdles, Arsenal remains optimistic about completing the transfer, with journalist Sacha Tavolieri reporting that a five-year deal has already been agreed upon between Gyokeres and the Gunners.
**Tags:** #Arsenal, #SportingCP, #TransferNews, #PlayerTransfer, #PremierLeague, #FootballTransfers
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