Arsenal is set to make a significant decision regarding the transfer of Viktor Gyokeres.
According to reports from Portugal, the club is preparing an improved offer for the Sporting CP forward after their initial bid was turned down.
The Swedish international is among Mikel Arteta’s primary targets for a striker, alongside Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, following his impressive 54 goals in the 2024/25 season, which helped Sporting secure a domestic double.
While another successful season seemed to pave the way for a lucrative transfer, the situation has become more complicated.
There was thought to be a gentleman’s agreement between Gyokeres and Sporting that would allow him to leave for a suitable fee, estimated at £60 million (€70 million), which was expected to be sufficient.
However, Sporting’s president, Frederico Varandas, has stated that such an agreement never existed.
He asserted that “I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60 million plus €10 million in add-ons because I never promised him that.
“To this day, Sporting has not received an offer for Viktor Gyokeres, neither today nor last season.”
He added that it was understood Sporting would not enforce the £84 million (€100 million) release clause at the end of the season, particularly since Gyokeres would be turning 27.
“We were aware of Viktor’s desire to join a club where he could compete for the Champions League, and we have acted sensibly,” he noted.
Currently, it is reported that the Portuguese champions are seeking at least £67.4 million (€80 million), a demand that has not sat well with Gyokeres.
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He expressed on an Instagram story, saying “there is a lot of talk at the moment, most of it is false. I will speak when the time is right.”
The 27-year-old seems to be responding to Varandas’s comments, but he may also be indicating that negotiations with Arsenal are not as advanced as suggested.
Recent reports from Record indicate that Arsenal has already submitted a bid of £55 million (€65 million), which includes £8.4 million (€10 million) in add-ons.
However, this falls short of Sporting’s revised asking price, prompting Mais Futebol to report that Arsenal is preparing a new offer.
The intention is for the upcoming bid to exceed £59.7 million (€70 million), including add-ons, bringing Arsenal closer to Sporting’s expectations.