Arsenal Near Agreement for Viktor Gyökeres: €63.5m Upfront with Add-ons

Arsenal have reached an agreement to pay €63.5m (£55m) upfront for Sweden striker Viktor Gyökeres and are close to finalizing terms with Sporting Lisbon over the transfer. While the clubs are still negotiating performance-based add-ons that could take the deal to nearly €80m, Arsenal is believed to have offered an additional €15m in bonuses for the 27-year-old forward.

Negotiations and Disciplinary Concerns

Both clubs remain confident that the deal will be completed soon, despite Gyökeres facing disciplinary action from Sporting after missing his deadline to report for pre-season training on Saturday. There is optimism that the situation will be resolved, with an agreement expected in the coming days.

Notably, the agents involved in the transfer will not receive the usual commission, which is typically around 10% of the total deal. This adjustment will allow Sporting to receive a larger sum upfront compared to the standard arrangement. If Arsenal had met Sporting’s initial €70m asking price, the Portuguese club would have received roughly €63m after fees. Under this new structure, they will receive slightly more, without losing money to intermediaries.

Tensions and Public Statements

Tensions between Gyökeres and Sporting have been mounting in recent weeks, as the striker has been vocal about his desire to move to Arsenal. Despite Gyökeres' wishes, Sporting president Frederico Varandas had insisted the club would not back down from their valuation of the player, who scored an impressive 54 goals in 52 games last season. Varandas has confirmed that Sporting plans to fine Gyökeres unless he provides a valid reason for missing training, such as medical issues, pre-approved leave, or a family emergency.

“We are calm,” Varandas said. “Everything can be resolved with the close of the transfer window, a heavy fine, and an apology to the group. If Arsenal doesn’t want to pay Viktor’s fair market value, we are very comfortable with that for the next three years.”

Arsenal’s Transfer Activity

While the Gyökeres deal nears completion, Arsenal are also expected to make another push for Valencia’s Christian Mosquera after their initial £14m bid was rejected. The Spain Under-21 defender has already agreed on personal terms with the Gunners and remains a priority.

In terms of departures, Arsenal may look to balance the books by selling Leandro Trossard. Bayern Munich have recently expressed interest in the Belgian forward, who has also been linked with clubs in Fenerbahce, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere. A transfer fee of around £20m is expected for Trossard.

Madueke’s Move and Nwaneri’s Contract Extension

Arsenal are also nearing a £52m deal for Noni Madueke, who is set to complete his move from Chelsea after passing his medical. The 23-year-old winger is expected to sign a five-year contract with the North London club.

Additionally, Arsenal have made strides in extending the contract of highly-rated academy star Ethan Nwaneri. Despite interest from Chelsea and clubs in Germany, Nwaneri is expected to stay at Arsenal and join Myles Lewis-Skelly in committing his future to the club.

With several high-profile signings and contract extensions on the horizon, Arsenal are positioning themselves for a strong push in the upcoming season, aiming to challenge for top honors both domestically and in Europe.

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