Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly told friends and family that he expects to join Arsenal this summer, despite mounting tension between his camp and Sporting CP over a disputed exit clause.
According to Record, the Swedish international is determined to play in the Premier League under Mikel Arteta, and considers a move to Arsenal his priority. Talks between the player and Sporting have reportedly stalled over a breakdown in trust, but Gyokeres remains hopeful that a deal can be done before the end of the window.
Multiple reports indicate that Gyokeres already has a personal agreement in place with Arsenal. Sky Sport Italia and O Jogo both claim that the 27-year-old has rejected more lucrative offers from Al Hilal and Juventus, including a proposed £29.6 million salary from Saudi Arabia, to hold out for a switch to north London.
Arsenal’s opening offer of €55 million (£46.3 million) plus €10 million (£8.4 million) in add-ons was rejected, with Frederico Varandas adamant that the forward will not be sold for less than €80 million (£67.3 million).
However, Gyokeres and his agent Hasan Cetinkaya argue that Sporting previously agreed to a lower release figure.
Sources close to the player claim a verbal agreement was made last September with then-sporting director Hugo Viana, confirming that Gyokeres could leave for €60 million plus €10 million. That conversation is now said to be backed by an audio recording, which Cetinkaya is reportedly prepared to release if talks continue to break down and Sporting continue to deny the clause.
Further complicating matters, Gyokeres’s 2023 contract is believed to include a clause stating that Sporting would be liable for a €6 million penalty if they reject an offer worth at least €60 million. Arsenal’s opening bid would therefore trigger this clause, raising the prospect of legal consequences for the Portuguese side if they continue to hold out for the full €100 million buyout figure, something they are reportedly threatening to do if Gyokeres’s agent insists on this clause being met.
The situation has fuelled reports of deteriorating relations between the striker and Sporting. A Bola reported earlier this week that Gyokeres feels “upset and disillusioned” by what he sees as a broken promise. He is said to be ready to go public if no solution is found, although for now he remains on holiday and has opted to stay silent while negotiations continue behind the scenes.
Despite interest from Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Al Ahli, Gyokeres has apparently made it clear to those close to him that his preference is Arsenal and this tracks with the reporting we’ve covered for months around this saga. Champions League football and a clear sporting project are understood to be decisive factors.
Arsenal are also monitoring Benjamin Sesko and it’s looking more and more like the club will try to bring both players to London this summer rather than it being a case of ‘either or’, which would certainly be a massive statement of intent from the Gunners.
Gyokeres scored 54 goals and provided 13 assists across all competitions last season, leading Sporting to their first league and cup double in 70 years.
He is under contract at Alvalade until 2028.
