Arsenal are gearing up to make a blockbuster transfer move, as reports confirm a delegation from the club is currently in Portugal to finalize the signing of Sporting CP’s prolific striker, Viktor Gyokeres. The news has sent ripples across the football world, with fans eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Swedish sensation.
Arsenal Closing in on Gyokeres Deal
Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano spilled the beans over the weekend, revealing that Arsenal are inching closer to securing Gyokeres’ signature. The Gunners are reportedly pushing hard to seal the deal, with negotiations now in the advanced stages.
Amid whispers that Gyokeres is “preparing for the worst” should the transfer fall through, it’s now emerged that the striker has agreed to personal terms with Arsenal. The 27-year-old enjoyed a sensational 2023/24 season, netting an incredible 54 goals in just 52 appearances for Sporting CP, and his arrival could be a game-changer for Mikel Arteta’s side.
According to talkSPORT, Arsenal’s delegation is already in Portugal to finalize the transfer. The striker’s salary and contract length have been ironed out, with Gyokeres set to sign a lucrative five-year deal that will keep him at the Emirates until he’s 32.
Gyokeres to Join Arsenal’s Top Earners
While the Swede’s reported £200,000-a-week salary won’t match Kai Havertz’s £290,000-a-week pay packet, it still places him firmly among Arsenal’s top earners. The deal marks the end of the Gunners’ three-year hunt for a marquee No. 9, with Gyokeres beating out competition from RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
“Viktor Gyokeres is set to net himself a £200,000-a-week deal with Arsenal. The Gunners are poised to end their three-year search for a No. 9 by snapping up Sporting Lisbon ace Gyokeres. The Swede has already agreed personal terms on a five-year contract with the north London club.”
Interestingly, Manchester United were also in the race for Gyokeres, but their long-term project failed to match the striker’s ambitions of joining a team ready to compete for silverware immediately.
Doubters and Dreamers
Despite the excitement surrounding Gyokeres’ potential arrival, not everyone is convinced. Former Watford striker Troy Deeney has expressed skepticism, claiming Arsenal are not fully sold on the Swede.
“I don’t think they’re sold on Gyokeres, I really don’t,” Deeney told talkSPORT. “Because you’d just go and get him. You get him done in the same way that Liverpool did with (Florian) Wirtz. They just went bang, go and get him, get it finished. I think they’re worried that he’s not the short-term answer or the long-term answer.”
Meanwhile, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand remains adamant that Napoli’s Victor Osimhen would have been a better fit. Ferdinand, who has been vocal about his admiration for Osimhen, expressed his disappointment at the Nigerian’s potential move to Galatasaray for a reported £50 million.
“I’m like a broken record. If anyone listens to my podcast, I’ve said Osimhen for a while now,” Ferdinand said. “He’s a centre-forward, he’s experienced, he knows how to score goals at the top level. I’ve seen today that Galatasaray have put a £50 million bid in. I mean, £50 million to get a top-class striker, one of the top strikers in the world, is absolute peanuts in today’s market. I’ll be disappointed if he goes to Galatasaray for that type of money when Man United are crying out for a No. 9.”
What’s Next for Arsenal?
With Gyokeres’ arrival seemingly imminent, Arsenal fans are brimming with anticipation. The Swedish striker’s goal-scoring prowess could be the missing piece in Arteta’s puzzle as the Gunners aim to challenge for the Premier League title and beyond.
Stay tuned for more updates as the transfer saga unfolds. For the latest football news and exclusive insights, explore our comprehensive coverage here.
