According to Record via Sport Witness, Arsenal’s chances of signing Viktor Gyokeres have been boosted as Sporting CP president Federico Varandas is showing a willingness to discuss a potential transfer with the North London club.
Gyokeres has taken the world by storm since joining the Portuguese club in the summer of 2023. He has contributed towards 125 goals (97 goals, 25 assists) in his 102 outings. His consistent performances have made him a top target for European giants who want a new number nine this summer.
Despite having three years left on his deal, Gyokeres is set to take the next step in his career. However, there has been plenty of drama surrounding his future in recent days, with Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas adamant that there is no verbal agreement to let him leave for anything less than his €100 million release clause.
Gyokeres and his agents still remain keen on securing a move away. Arsenal are the ones who are pushing very hard to sign the 27-year-old. The Gunners want a new striker on a priority basis as Mikel Arteta isn’t pleased with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz’s output.
Even the Swedish international has Arsenal as his preferred destination and has turned down the opportunity to reunite with Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. The Red Devils have been working hard to bring him to Old Trafford but he prefers moving to North London.
Meanwhile, the report suggests the verbal agreement between the player and Sporting is still valid. It states that any deal has to be €60 million fixed at least for the Portuguese club to consider it. However, if they still turn it down, his agent gets 10%.
The Gunners have received a boost as after a week full of drama, Varandas is now showing an openness to hold talks with Arsenal and get a deal over the line. However, he would still like for the package to touch the €80 million mark.
They want something like €70 million as a fixed fee along with €10 million in objective-based add-ons. The Gunners’ last offer was worth €55 million plus €10 million. Sporting directors of both clubs, Bernardo Palmeiro and Andrea Berta remain in talks. The expectation is that Arsenal will make an improved offer soon and everything will be resolved following that.
