Arsenal Nears Acquisition of Sporting Striker Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal Nears Acquisition of Sporting Striker Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal is close to finalizing the signing of Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, following extended negotiations over the transfer's finer details.

Last week, BBC Sport reported that a €73.5 million (£63.5 million) deal was nearing completion, with Arsenal aiming to conclude the transfer before their pre-season tour of Asia, which commences on Sunday. However, discussions between the clubs concerning add-on payments have delayed the move for the Swedish forward.

Gyokeres has already agreed to personal terms and a five-year contract with Arsenal. The 27-year-old has attracted significant interest during the summer transfer window, having scored 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season.

Earlier this month, BBC Sport revealed Arsenal's shift in focus to Gyokeres after their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig reached a stalemate. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, has been determined to secure an elite center-forward following a season where his team scored 17 fewer goals and finished 10 points behind Premier League champions Liverpool.

In addition to pursuing Gyokeres, Arteta enhanced his attacking options by signing England winger Noni Madueke, 23, from Chelsea last week.

Formerly of Brighton and Coventry, Gyokeres has netted 97 goals in 102 matches over two seasons in Portugal, contributing to Sporting's consecutive Primeira Liga titles. During his tenure at Coventry, he was a leading striker in the Championship, scoring 43 goals in 116 appearances. He was named in the Championship Team of the Year for the 2022-23 season, as Coventry reached the play-off final but were ultimately defeated by Luton Town on penalties. That summer, he transferred to Sporting for approximately £20 million.

Gyokeres made his international debut for Sweden in 2019 against Finland and has since earned 26 caps, scoring 15 goals for his national team.

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