Arsenal have made progress in the transfer market over the past week.
The Gunners confirmed the arrival of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea on Tuesday.
Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi could be unveiled today, while they have already exchanged ‘all paperwork‘ to sign Brentford captain Christian Norgaard.
A Bola (page 2) today report that Sporting CP are convinced that Viktor Gyokeres will report for pre-season training on July 7 despite ‘concrete’ Arsenal interest.
The Gunners have so far made an informal bid of £47.5 million plus £8.6m in add-ons for the striker, which has been rejected. They are willing to ‘raise the bar’ with a fixed fee of £52m.
Gyokeres believes he had a gentleman’s agreement to leave for £52m plus £8.6 m in bonuses, but Sporting are adamant that he won’t go for less than £69m this summer.
Meanwhile, Gyokeres’ agent could demand 10 percent of any rejected bid (fixed fee) of at least £52m.
If the clause is triggered, Sporting could hold out for the striker’s £86m release clause.
The Gunners have basically added Arrizabalaga, Zubimendi and Norgaard to the squad. Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera looks poised to join the club in the coming days.
A marquee striker should be the next priority. Arsenal have earmarked RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko as their prime target. Gyokeres remains the backup choice as things stand.
Gyokeres, who earns a salary of around £62,000 per week at Sporting, including bonuses, has made up his mind to join the Gunners and considers them his ‘dream‘ destination.
Arsenal are working simultaneously on both strikers despite a preference for Sesko. We believe the club should put an end to the striker saga before they travel for the pre-season tour on July 19.
Arsenal are obviously reluctant to spend over a certain limit, given they also plan to sign a left winger and a versatile playmaker. Rodrygo and Eberechi Eze are the top targets for those positions.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas has repeatedly said that Gyokeres won’t be sold for £52m plus £8.6m in add-ons. The onus is on the Gunners to make a higher bid if there is a genuine desire to bring Gyokeres to the Emirates Stadium ahead of Sesko this summer.
