After a summer full of twists and drawn-out negotiations, Arsenal appear to be closing in on a major signing.
The Gunners are reportedly finalizing a £63.4 million deal to bring Sporting Lisbon’s prolific frontman, Viktor Gyokeres, to North London.
Deal Structure and Contract Details
Sources close to the situation, including The Athletic, suggest the deal is split into a £54.8 million upfront payment with an additional £8.4 million in performance-based bonuses.
Gyokeres is expected to sign a five-year contract, marking a significant step in Arsenal’s pursuit of a top-tier striker.
A Transfer Saga Filled with Drama
Getting this move over the line hasn’t been easy.
The deal has gone through several complications, including disagreements over bonus structures and payment installments.
Sporting were reportedly pushing for a larger portion of the fee to be paid upfront, which created tension and delays.
In a surprising show of commitment, Gyokeres’ agent even gave up his commission to help move things along.
Emotional Toll on the Family
The emotional strain behind the scenes was real.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, the uncertainty brought Gyokeres’ father to tears as fears mounted that the transfer could fall apart at the last moment.
Timing Was a Challenge
Arsenal had hoped to finalize the signing before heading off to Asia for their pre-season tour.
However, because of the ongoing disagreements, the move couldn’t be wrapped up in time.
The Gunners are set to play against AC Milan and Newcastle in Singapore, followed by a clash with Tottenham in Hong Kong.
Debut Likely Post-Tour
With the team currently on tour, Gyokeres will probably have to wait until August 6 to potentially make his debut.
That’s when Arsenal return to the Emirates to host Villarreal in their first home pre-season game.
They’ll wrap up summer preparations against Athletic Club before opening their Premier League campaign with a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
Gyokeres’ Phenomenal Rise in Portugal
Gyokeres has been nothing short of sensational during his time in Portugal.
Over two seasons, he scored a staggering 97 goals in just 102 games for Sporting.
Last season alone, he netted 54 times across all competitions, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most dangerous strikers.
Trophies and Transfers
The Swedish international has collected two league titles and a Portuguese Cup during his stay at Sporting.
He arrived there from Coventry City in 2023 for around £20 million, after scoring 43 goals over two and a half seasons with the Championship side.
Return to the Premier League With a Vengeance
For Gyokeres, returning to England means unfinished business.
His stint at Brighton didn’t pan out—he failed to make a first-team appearance despite spending several years with the club.
He hasn’t forgotten that chapter.
“It’s one of the biggest leagues in Europe,” he recently shared.
“I was there for years and didn’t get a chance to play. So of course, it’s something I’d like to do again. It would be a great revenge.”
Arsenal’s Long-Awaited No. 9
If everything goes as planned, Gyokeres would finally fill the long-standing striker gap in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
With their eyes set on lifting the Premier League trophy for the first time in over two decades, Arsenal are banking on the 27-year-old to deliver the goals they’ve been missing.
What’s Coming Next?
Final touches are reportedly all that remain.
If Arsenal can seal the deal soon, they could have their new star forward ready just in time for the final stretch of pre-season—and more importantly, the long Premier League campaign ahead. Stay tuned.