Is the wait finally over? Friday's medical set to seal Arsenal's long-awaited arrival
Arsenal are on the verge of completing the high-profile signing of Viktor Gyokeres, with the Sporting CP forward due to arrive in London on Friday to finalise his move.
After weeks of tense negotiations, both clubs have now reached a breakthrough in talks, with Arsenal agreeing to pay €63.5 million up front, plus a further €10 million in bonuses tied to achievable targets, according to AS.
The deal looked uncertain at several points, with Sporting president Frederico Varandas initially standing firm on a €100 million valuation and refusing to entertain lower offers.
Arsenal’s pursuit nearly collapsed earlier in the week, prompting the striker’s representatives to step in and ease discussions, including reducing their commission demands to help get the deal over the line.
Gyokeres, who rejected Sporting’s call-up for pre-season duties, has made it clear that he wants to join Arsenal and push for major honours in England.
The Swedish international has agreed a five-year contract with the Gunners and will earn around €8 million per season after tax.
His arrival marks a significant step in Arsenal’s bid to strengthen their forward line, with the 26-year-old seen as a key addition to support the club’s push for the Premier League title.
Arsenal’s management were unwilling to meet Sporting’s full valuation outright, but eventually conceded to a structure that satisfies all parties.
Sporting had demanded that the €10 million in bonuses be easy to trigger, and after intense back-and-forth, the final framework includes a mixture of achievable and slightly more challenging add-ons.
Mikel Arteta has been a driving force behind the pursuit, and Gyokeres’s arrival could see him feature in Arsenal’s upcoming pre-season fixtures if the paperwork and medical are completed in time.
The Gunners have already strengthened across multiple departments this summer, bringing in Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.
Moves for Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera are also nearing completion, with the club’s sporting director Andrea Berta overseeing a frantic but efficient window.
Gyokeres’s imminent arrival gives Arsenal a powerful, versatile attacker capable of leading the line or operating in wider areas if required.
The final agreement is now only subject to medical tests and the final signatures, with Arsenal hopeful of making the announcement official before the weekend.
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