Arsenal are said to be closing in on a deal to land their prime striker target. The Gunners have been working on a deal to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres for weeks, with the Portuguese club holding firm over their valuation of their superstar frontman.
Compromises have been made, with Gyokeres reportedly giving up a sizable bonus, while his agent has also done the same, in a bid to push through a deal. But the striker has not been happy with Sporting’s handling of the situation, and he is staying away from pre-season training as he looks to force through a deal.
The latest round of talks are said to have taken place in London, and according to Football Transfers, Arsenal are expecting to wrap up a transfer worth €80million (£69.2million) upfront and a further €10 million (£8.6million) in add-ons. It’s reported that the Gunners are so confident that they have now pencilled in a medical for this week.
It’s said that Arsenal are hoping Gyokeres will get chance to pass his medical and be able to join his new teammates in Asia ready for next Wednesday’s first pre-season friendly, against AC Milan. The deal is not fully done at this stage, but Arsenal are expecting the rest of the process to go well.
Sporting backlash
Gyokeres was handed a big fine and forced to apologise to his teammates for staying away from training. Sporting chief Frederico Varandas said: “We’re calm. Everything will be resolved with the closing of the market, a heavy fine, and an apology to the group. If they [interested clubs] don’t want to pay fair market value for Viktor, we are very comfortable with that for the next three years [the length of his contract].”
He added: “If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to facilitate the exit. They are not only completely wrong but are also making the player’s exit even more complicated. No one is above the club’s interests, whoever they may be.”
Gyokeres’ reaction is said to come from a gentleman’s agreement he is said to have had with the club that he could leave for 70million euros this summer, an agreement he feels the club have failed to uphold. Meanwhile, Sporting fans have expressed their displeasure over the striker’s approach. During a friendly this week, one banner read: “I don’t cry for those who leave, I’m happy for those who stay.” Another read: “No one is above the club’s interests, no matter who they are.”
Arsenal have been highly efficient in strengthen their other positions of need this summer, signing a back-up goalkeeper and two holding midfielders, while a new winger and centre-back are on their way in. A striker has been much harder to get done, and it is arguably the most important piece of all, but if Arsenal do sign Gyokeres, their summer transfer business will be in fantastic shape.
