Arsenal are on the brink of securing a major coup in their pursuit of Sporting CP’s prolific striker Viktor Gyokeres, with negotiations nearing a conclusion for a £63 million (€73m) transfer, including €10m in add-ons, according to The Independent. The move marks a significant step in Mikel Arteta’s mission to address Arsenal’s long-standing need for a clinical goalscorer, following another trophyless season and three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League.
The 27-year-old Sweden international, who has scored an astonishing 97 goals in 102 matches across all competitions for Sporting, including 54 goals in 52 games last season, has been Arsenal’s top target this summer. His remarkable tally includes a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League, underscoring his ability to perform on the biggest stages. With Gabriel Jesus sidelined by a serious injury that could keep him out until midway through the 2025/26 season, and Kai Havertz often deployed in a more versatile role, Gyokeres’ imminent arrival is set to provide the out-and-out goalscoring threat Arsenal have lacked.
Throwback to Viktor Gyökeres' hat-trick against Man City
— Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) July 13, 2025
pic.twitter.com/LH0c9XXVDW
Negotiations between Arsenal and Sporting have been complex, with the Portuguese club initially demanding a guaranteed €70m, but a breakthrough was achieved after Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, waived his 10% commission to facilitate the deal. Football.london reports that Gyokeres has agreed a five-year contract with Arsenal, and his determination to join the Gunners has been evident, with the striker even refusing to train with Sporting to push for the move. Despite a report from Portugal’s Record suggesting the deal was at risk of collapsing due to disagreements over add-ons, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano clarified that talks remain ongoing, with no collapse imminent.
❤️🤍 Gyökeres didn’t have doubts even when Saudi clubs wanted to offer way higher salary: only Arsenal.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 14, 2025
Move set to be sealed today after 2 meetings on Sunday.
Gyökeres agents reduce their commission to make the deal happen.
Here we go, soon ✅🔜
🎥 https://t.co/3TdqwCRIZ5 pic.twitter.com/flJ3IIhAhN
The transfer saga has not been without drama. Sporting president Frederico Varandas confirmed Gyokeres faces disciplinary action for failing to report to pre-season training on 12th July, a move interpreted as the striker’s attempt to force his exit. Arsenal, however, have remained disciplined in their approach, agreeing to pay €63m in installments with €10m in performance-based add-ons, a compromise from Sporting’s initial €80m (£68.6m) valuation. Sky Sports notes that personal terms have never been an issue, with Gyokeres prioritizing a move to Arsenal over other suitors.
Arteta, who has promised a “big” summer of recruitment, is keen to have Gyokeres integrated into the squad before Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia begins on Saturday, 19th July. The Gunners face a demanding schedule, including friendlies against Milan, Newcastle, Tottenham, Villarreal, and Athletic Bilbao, before their Premier League opener against Manchester United. Gyokeres’ arrival is expected to complement recent signings, including Valencia’s Cristhian Mosquera (£13m), Chelsea’s Noni Madueke (£52m), Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi (£60m), Brentford’s Christian Norgaard (£15m), and Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m), pushing Arsenal’s summer spending past £200m.
The addition of Gyokeres addresses a critical weakness in Arsenal’s attack, as highlighted by The Independent’s Richard Jolly. Unlike Havertz, Jesus, and Leandro Trossard, who often drop deep, Gyokeres excels at running in behind defenses, offering a directness that could make Arsenal less predictable and more potent on the counterattack. His 68 goals in 66 Primeira Liga appearances and six in last season’s Champions League suggest he can translate his scoring prowess to the Premier League, despite questions about adapting from Portugal’s top flight.
Should the Gyokeres deal falter, Arsenal have been linked with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko as a fallback option, with the Slovenian valued between £65m and £85m. However, Gyokeres remains the priority, and his signing is seen as a statement of intent for a club desperate to end their trophy drought. Football.london reports that Arsenal are “very happy” with their pursuit of Gyokeres and have no regrets about bypassing other targets like Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.
As Arsenal prepare to finalize deals for Gyokeres, Mosera, and Madueke, Arteta is also reportedly ready to sanction “several” exits, with Jakub Kiwior and Trossard among those linked with moves away, per the Evening Standard. The Gunners’ transformed squad, bolstered by Gyokeres’ goal-scoring instinct, could provide the edge needed to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title. With negotiations in their final stages, Arsenal fans are eagerly awaiting confirmation of the Swedish striker’s arrival, hopeful that he will be the key to unlocking their long-awaited silverware.