Arsenal's striker search reaches apex with reported agreement in place
Arsenal have reached a breakthrough in their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, with CNN Portugal reporting that an agreement with Sporting CP is effectively in place.
The Gunners have been locked in negotiations for weeks, and talks intensified after a delegation from the club flew to Lisbon on Friday to meet directly with Sporting officials at Estádio José Alvalade.
According to the report, the deal is expected to be finalised imminently, even though further discussions between both clubs are scheduled for Sunday.
Sporting will receive a fixed fee of €65 million, with an additional €15 million available through performance-based bonuses.
Of that variable sum, €5 million is tied to relatively straightforward targets, such as appearances for Arsenal in domestic competitions.
The rest of the add-ons relate to more ambitious outcomes, including Arsenal winning the Champions League or Gyokeres landing the Ballon d’Or — clauses that provide long-term upside for Sporting.
Despite the agreement not yet being publicly announced, all indications suggest it is only a matter of time before the transfer is made official.
Sporting had initially demanded a straight €80 million fee, but ultimately softened their stance to accommodate bonuses, creating space for Arsenal to meet their valuation without paying the full amount up front.
The striker has been on extended leave from pre-season training, with Sporting allowing him to delay his return until 11 July — one day before their trip to the Algarve for a training camp.
However, reports in Portugal suggest the Swede has made it clear he does not intend to rejoin the squad at all, as he awaits final confirmation of his move to north London.
Gyokeres scored 39 goals in 33 Primeira Liga matches last season and added six more in the Champions League, emerging as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.
He also contributed seven assists and played a key role in Sporting’s domestic title push.
His form caught the attention of several clubs, but Arsenal have always led the race, with manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta pushing strongly for the deal.
Arsenal had previously explored a move for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, but with that route now closed, Gyokeres has become the club’s top attacking priority.
The Gunners hope to have the signing wrapped up in time for their pre-season tour of Asia, which begins on 19 July.
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