Arsenal are closing in on their next major signing of the summer, with sporting director Andrea Berta sealing a huge transfer coup.
Earlier this week, the Gunners officially announced Cristhian Mosquera’s arrival from Valencia – nearly a fortnight after news emerged that they reached an agreement to sign the defender for a potential £17 million.
Arsenal have paid Valencia an initial £13 million for the 21-year-old, but it could rise by a further £4 million with add-ons. According to Fabrizio Romano, Mosquera “only” wanted to join Mikel Arteta’s side, and Berta thinks he’s a very exciting new addition to the squad.
“We’re very happy and excited to have signed a hugely talented young player in Cristhian Mosquera,” said Berta in an official statement.
“We identified Cristhian as one of the strongest young defenders in European football, and he is an important signing for our future.
“Cristhian is a versatile defender who will strengthen our squad. We cannot wait to see him playing for us. Together with everyone at the club, we warmly welcome Cristhian and his family to Arsenal.”
After Mosquera, it is widely reported that Arsenal are about to end their long-winded pursuit of a prolific number nine with the signing of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.
Berta and co actually reached an agreement in principle to sign Gyokeres at around the same time as they made a breakthrough for Mosquera (The Athletic), but negotiations dragged out due to issues surrounding bonuses and add-ons in the deal.
However, a breakthrough has since been made, and Gyokeres is set for an imminent Arsenal medical ahead of his potential £64 million move (Fabrizio Romano).
Now, A Bola have also lifted the lid on some key contract details.
According to the Portuguese newspaper, via The Daily Cannon, Gyokeres has agreed a £135,000-per-week contract to join Arsenal, which will run for five years, and they back up that the 27-year-old will soon be announced as Berta’s next new incoming in a major boost for Arteta.
One of this summer’s most drawn-out transfer sagas is now coming to an end, and barring a last-second catastrophe, supporters can look forward to having a proven goalscorer lead their line next season.
According to journalist Duncan Castles this week, Gyokeres and his camp even had to navigate a legal row with Sporting before sealing his move to N5.
“Sporting wrote to Gyokeres to inform him he was in breach of contract, to which his lawyers replied, saying they didn’t feel he was in breach of contract because Gyokeres had promises from the club that they would allow him to leave this summer if his agents brought a certain fee and the club had reneged on those promises,” said Castles on The Transfers Podcast.
“There’s now a legal dispute between player and club in the background, and a general sense that I’m getting from Portugal is that Sporting want to make this as difficult for Gyokeres as possible.”
