According to various English media outlets, Arsenal has reportedly reached a five-year agreement with Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres and is now engaged in advanced negotiations with Sporting Lisbon regarding the transfer fee. The Gunners have closely monitored Gyokeres throughout the summer following his impressive record of 97 goal contributions (goals and assists) in 102 appearances for Sporting since his arrival from Coventry City.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas has indicated that the club will not necessarily demand the full €85 million release clause for Gyokeres. Therefore, the expected asking price is likely to fall between €60 million and €85 million. This stance has reportedly not been well-received by the player`s entourage, leading to speculation that Gyokeres might not report for pre-season training in Lisbon due to this supposed `reversal` by Varandas.
Speaking ahead of Sporting`s General Assembly, Varandas elaborated on the situation:
“Sporting does not need to sell Gyokeres. We have already passed the phase where we had to sell our best assets. We don`t have to sell him. However, while we don`t have to sell him, we are still sensitive to Viktor`s dreams. Sporting has a commitment, made by the president, not to demand the value of the release clause and to be reasonable in relation to Viktor`s performance last season. If you ask me today, there is a strong possibility that Viktor will leave.”
“In recent weeks, we`ve kept an eye on the market. I saw a player like Zubimendi, six months younger than Viktor, reportedly go to Arsenal for €65 million. I saw two players sold in the Premier League, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who in my opinion don`t have Viktor`s quality, sold for around €70 million. We`re talking about 26-year-old players. 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.”
He concluded with a clear message:
“I will not state the price we have asked. It has been communicated to the agent. But I can guarantee that Viktor will not leave for €60 million plus €10 million in bonuses. Viktor already knows this, and I want Sporting fans to take advantage of this summer, where they are two-time champions and have a double, to celebrate, to be calm, because there are only two scenarios. Either a club respects the price requested by Sporting and Viktor will achieve his dreams, and from that moment we will be ready to pursue targets, or that club does not want Viktor, and Viktor, with a three-year contract remaining, stays at Sporting, and we will be very happy. I have been in football for 20 years and have experienced countless market dramas. The transfer window is a cure for every ailment. Unhappy players are not a problem. If Viktor stays, it won`t be a problem for us; it will be a problem for our opponents.”
Juventus were also reported to be interested in the player, but they now seem to have shifted their focus to other targets.