David Ornstein of The Athletic has reported that Arsenal are on the cusp of completing a major summer signing, with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres set to join the North London club, reports eplindex.com. A deal in principle worth €63.5million (£54.8m) plus an additional €10m (£8.6m) in performance-related bonuses is nearing finalisation, pending only minor contractual details.
The delay in the transfer was caused by uncertainty surrounding the nature and achievability of those add-ons. However, talks have progressed significantly, with all parties optimistic that the deal will be concluded imminently.
Despite interest from elsewhere, Gyokeres was single-minded in his desire to join Arsenal. “Gyokeres was focused only on joining Arsenal and, despite late interest from elsewhere, he did not consider any other team.” His commitment to the move was underlined when his agent waived his commission to facilitate the transfer. A five-year contract, running until June 2030, has already been prepared.
Gyokeres comes into the Premier League after an extraordinary season in Portugal, where he netted 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting during the 2024–25 campaign. That output helped secure a domestic double, and cemented his status as one of Europe’s most in-demand centre-forwards.
Frederico Varandas, Sporting’s president, revealed tensions behind the scenes as the deal dragged on. “Gyokeres would be issued a ‘heavy fine’ and told to apologise to his Sporting team-mates after the Swede missed the deadline to report for pre-season training amid Arsenal’s approach.”
It’s been a meteoric rise for the 27-year-old, who left Brighton & Hove Albion for just £1m in 2021 before flourishing at Coventry City. His £17m switch to Sporting in 2023 saw him reach another level, recording a staggering 97 goals and 28 assists in just two seasons.
This transfer marks another aggressive move by Arsenal in what is their first summer under new sporting director Andrea Berta. With the arrivals of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Noni Madueke already secured, the addition of Gyokeres addresses a key area of need.
Mikel Arteta’s side were without a consistent No. 9 last season, relying on a mix of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus , both of whom suffered injuries. The Gunners ultimately finished 10 points behind champions Liverpool, having scored 17 fewer goals.
Meanwhile, another new signing, Cristhian Mosquera, has gone to Singapore to join Arsenal’s pre-season tour after the club finalised terms with Valencia, sources have told ESPN.
The exact fee is unclear, but sources told ESPN the deal is worth around £17million ($22.9m) including add-ons. Neither club has confirmed the transfer, but sources say Mosquera will soon land in Asia ahead of the Gunners’ first friendly, against AC Milan today.
The 21-year-old will provide cover for first-choice centre-back pairing William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes and is expected to sign a long-term contract.
(Guardian)
