Viktor Gyokeres transfer is now close to being finalised, with reports of a compromise on the contested add-on payments between Arsenal and Sporting CP.
Nuno Farinha of CNN Portugal reports that Arsenal’s deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres is close to being finalised.
The initial fee of €63.5m with add-ons of €10m has already been agreed in principle, but the nature of those add-ons has been contested in recent days.
The Gunners reportedly wanted €3m “easy” add-ons with €7m that are a bit more difficult to achieve, but the latest information is that it’s going to be roughly half and half. €5m will be virtually guaranteed, with the other €5m more difficult to attain.
David Ornstein reported earlier this week that Arsenal and Sporting still needed to put the finishing touches to the add-on criteria, adding that these are natural parts of the closing stages of negotiations and it can get a little bit tense and complicated.
Yet Ornstein went on to say that Arsenal are in a very, very advanced position. Though the deal isn’t done yet, the Gunners will be hopeful they can sort it in time for the pre-season tour of Asia.
Gyokeres’ goalscoring numbers in 2024/25 were phenomenal, with 54 goals for Sporting and a further nine for Sweden. It shouldn’t be ignored that 20 of those 63 goals were penalties, but 43 open-play goals is still a fantastic return for a single season.
The question now is whether the striker can adapt to a new team in the Premier League, where the demands are often much higher than in Portuguese football.
The player himself seemed motivated in a recent interview, saying: “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 great revenge!”