HUGE VIKTOR GYOKERES TO ARSENAL TRANSFER UPDATE AS STRIKER TO FINALLY FLY IN TO COMPLETE MOVE

Latest Arsenal transfer news with an update on Viktor Gyokeres as the Sporting CP striker edges closer to sealing his move

Viktor Gyokeres is closing in on a move to Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)

Viktor Gyokeres is expected to arrive in London on Friday to finalise his £63.5million move to Arsenal, it has been reported. The 27-year-old has agreed to sign for the Gunners on a five-year deal after another impressive season at Sporting CP, where he scored 54 goals and provided 13 assists in 52 appearances.

Although he received interest from Manchester United and Juventus, among others, Gyokeres made it clear that he wanted to make the move to the Emirates Stadium this summer. Indeed, the Sweden international failed to turn up to pre-season training at Sporting in an attempt to force through a move.

Now, Gyokeres is about to get his wish after Arsenal and Sporting came to an agreement on the fee and the structure of the proposed deal. The Gunners are expected to spend £55m plus £8.5m in add-ons on the former Coventry City man, following a breakthrough in talks earlier this week.

According to Sky Sports, Gyokeres has been given the green light to fly into London on Friday to sort final contractual details and undergo his medical ahead of completing a move to Arsenal. It's thought the plan is then for him to team up with the rest of the squad in Singapore on their pre-season tour.

Should a deal go through without more issues, Gyokeres' probable debut date would be against Tottenham in Hong Kong on Thursday, July 31. The Gunners face Newcastle United in their second pre-season fixture on Sunday, following Wednesday's 1-0 win over AC Milan, but that is expected to come too soon.

Gyokeres is expected to become Arsenal's latest transfer addition after Cristhian Mosquera's £17m deal is confirmed. The 21-year-old centre-back has been spotted alongside some of his new teammates in Singapore and is closing in on a move to the Gunners, having made 41 appearances for Valencia last season.

Both Gyokeres and Mosquera would add to the four players Arsenal have signed so far this summer. The Gunners have brought in Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke for a combined £142m as Arteta tries to get his squad in shape and prepared for another title push.

Arsenal finished 10 points behind eventual Premier League champions Liverpool last season and ended in second for the third successive campaign. In an attempt to bridge the gap and go one better, the Gunners have spent big and hope to strengthen even more before the transfer window closes.

The Gunners face Manchester United at Old Trafford in their top-flight curtain-raiser on Sunday, August 17. They then host Leeds at the Emirates before travelling to Liverpool to wrap up the first month of the season.

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- Kieran King

IT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN | VIKTOR GYOKERES TO BECOME A GUNNER

 

SPORTING PRESIDENT RIPS INTO WANTAWAY VIKTOR GYOKERES AND PROMISES DISCIPLINARY ACTION - AS £70M ARSENAL TARGET GOES ON STRIKE

Sporting Clube president Frederico Varandas has confirmed that Viktor Gyokeres will face disciplinary action after going on strike amid strong interest from Arsenal.

Gyokeres, 27, failed to report for the club's pre-season training this week, despite Sporting having granted him an extended summer break until Saturday, July 12. 

That patience has now run out, with Varandas vowing to hand the in-demand striker a 'hefty fine.

Sporting's president confirmed that Viktor Gyokeres will face a 'hefty fine' for going on strike

Gyokeres is thought to have agreed pre-contract terms with Arsenal, with the only remaining stumbling block in the way of a move to north London being his transfer fee.

The Gunners are yet to meet Sporting's firm £69m valuation - but Varandas' recent comments show that there are no signs of desperation from the Portuguese club.

'We're calm. Everything can be solved with the closure of the market, a hefty fine and an apology to the group,' he told Portuguese news agency Lusa.

Gyokeres failed to report for the club's pre-season training this week as he seeks a move away

'If they don't want to pay Viktor's fair market value, we'll be very comfortable with that for the next three years.

'If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to make it easier for him to leave, not only are they completely wrong, but they are also making it more complicated for the player to leave.

'No one is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are.'

.

Arsenal have agreed pre-contract terms with the striker but must cough up £70m to sign him

Gyokeres scored a staggering 54 goals for Sporting last term across all competitions, and is rated as one of the most prolific forwards in Europe.

The former Coventry City and Brighton striker currently has three years still remaining on his contract with the Portuguese giants, though it appears unlikely in the extreme that he will be seeing out those terms as things stand.

Since making a £20m switch from Coventry to Sporting in 2023, Gyokeres has gone on a remarkable scoring spree in Portugal, netting 97 times in just 102 appearances across two seasons. 

The Swedish international scored 54 goals for Sporting across all competitions last season

Gyokeres scored 43 goals for Coventry in his two and a half seasons, but never got to suit up in the Premier League for Brighton.

He has previously spoken of his desire to return to the English top flight, to get revenge for his empty spell with the Seagulls.

'It's one of the biggest leagues in Europe,' Gyokeres said. 'I spent several years there without being able to play a single match.

'So, of course, it's something I would like to do. It would be a great revenge.' 

As reported by Mail Sport, Mikel Arteta had been keen to sign a new striker before his squad jets out to Singapore on July 19 to begin their tour of Asia.

But as it stands, Sporting seemingly hold all the cards and are more than happy to keep the Gunners waiting.

- YASEEN ZAMAN

ARSENAL CLOSE ON VIKTOR GYOKERES AFTER SIGNING MARTIN ZUBIMENDI IN £50M

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting after agreeing personal terms with the Sweden striker. Negotiations are continuing over a fee for the 27-year-old, with Arsenal hoping to strike a deal for less than the £68m asking price.

Gyökeres has made no secret of his desire for a new challenge, having scored 54 goals for Sporting last season, and is understood to have made clear he wants to join Arsenal despite interest from elsewhere in the Premier League, including Manchester United.

Arsenal had identified Gyökeres as one of their two main targets to add firepower, with strong interest also in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. With Mikel Arteta keen to bring in reinforcements as soon as possible, Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, is understood to have stepped up efforts to sign Gyökeres after the arrival of the midfielder Martín Zubimendi was confirmed on Sunday.

Gyökeres, who joined Sporting from Coventry in 2023, is believed to have agreed a five-year deal at the Emirates. It is understood that his former club Brighton would be due money under a sell-on clause.

Zubimendi, who turned down Liverpool last summer, has joined on a five-year deal. The Spain international was heavily linked with Real Madrid in recent weeks despite being understood in March to have a pre-agreement to join Arsenal.

Arteta made the 26-year-old his primary midfield target as Arsenal attempt to bridge the gap after three successive runners-up finishes in the Premier League, and Zubimendi’s signing represents a major boost after the departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey at the end of their contacts last week. Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault – allegations he denies – three days after leaving.

Arsenal are believed to have been searching for midfield replacements since last summer, with Zubimendi emerging as their preferred option thanks to his impressive displays for Real Sociedad and Spain. Their attempts to sign him last summer alongside Mikel Merino – who left Real Sociedad for about £32m – are understood to have been rejected because the Spanish side did not want to lose both players in the same transfer window.

Arsenal were able to secure a pre-agreement in March after continuing talks. The fee is believed to be slightly more than his release clause of £51m after they fought off late interest from Madrid, whose new manager, Xabi Alonso, coached Zubimendi for Real Sociedad’s B side.

Once I made the decision to leave, I set my sights on Arsenal because I think their style of play is a good fit for me,” Zubimendi told his new club’s website. “It’s a young, highly motivated and ambitious team. They have shown their potential recently, and I believe the best is yet to come.”

Brentford’s Christian Nørgaard is also expected to complete his move to north London after the clubs agreed a deal worth up to £15m, and Arsenal are understood to have discussed personal terms with Chelsea’s Noni Madueke and are weighing up whether to bid for the England international.

Arteta said of Zubimendi: “Martín is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team.”

- Ed Aarons

FURIOUS VIKTOR GYOKERES 'TELLS SPORTING LISBON HE WILL NOT RETURN FOR ORE-SEASON TRAINING' AMID UGLY TRANSFER SAGA AS ARSENAL AND MAN UTD TARGET ISSUES FINAL THREAT

 

Gyokeres' price tag has proven to be a major stumbling block in wrapping up a summer move

• Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly called Sporting's director to demand a transfer

• The 27-year-old striker has been heavily linked with Arsenal and Man United

• LISTEN to Whistleblowers: Are Arsenal fans right to think they've been aggrieved by the fixtures?

Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly called Sporting Lisbon's president Frederico Varandas to demand a move as the Swedish striker looks to force a summer transfer. 

The 27-year-old is one of Europe's most in-demand forwards after netting 54 times in 52 appearances for Sporting last season and has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal or Manchester United. 

The Swede is believed to prefer a move to Arsenal, who have Champions League football to look forward to next season, instead of reuniting with Ruben Amorim at United.

However, his price-tag has proved to be a major stumbling block for any deal.

It is understood that Gyokeres believes he reached a gentleman's agreement with Sporting last summer that would see the Portuguese side accept accept a fee in the region of €70m (£60m) including add-ons at the end of the season.

But Sporting are now trying to hold out for a significantly higher fee - with Gyokeres having a €100m (£84m) release clause in his contract. 

While Gyokeres has pushed for a move, Varandas accused his team of attempting to 'blackmail' Sporting, while he reportedly threatened to go on strike after vowing to 'speak at the right time'.

The Swedish striker, 27, is said to prefer a move to Arsenal rather than reuniting with Amorim

Now Gyokeres has made his thoughts clear to Varandas in a phone call, where he told him he wants to join Arsenal and should be allowed to after giving everything for the club,' according to Portuguese outlet Record.

The Swede will refuse to return to Lisbon, having appealed to the president to understand the importance of the moment, and will 'never forgive those responsible' if a move to Arsenal breaks down,' the bombshell report claims.

Sporting President Frederico Varandas previously accused him of trying to 'blackmail' the club

The striker is also said to have emphasised a £60m transfer would provide significant profit on the £20m they signed him from Coventry for just two years ago. 

Earlier this month, Varandas claimed that Sporting will not demand £84m for Gyokeres but allowing him to depart for £60m is also off the table as a war of words broke out.

'Sporting will not demand the release clause, but they should know me better by now,' Varandas said. 'Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me.

'I can guarantee one thing: Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m + €10m. He won't leave because I never allowed it, and the game his agent is playing will only make the situation worse.'

He is one of Europe's most in-demand forwards after netting 54 times in 52 games last season

Varandas has denied a gentleman's agreement was ever in place as the transfer saga continues to turn ugly.

The Swede has scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting since joining from Coventry.

As well as Arsenal and United, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Al-Hilal have also been linked with his signature.  

- ADAM POGRUND

REPORT CLAIMS ARSENAL HAVE MADE IMPORTANT €80M TRANSFER DECISION IN THE LAST FEW HOURS

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks on (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Arsenal have reportedly decided to leave the race to sign Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres as he’s too expensive at €80m.

The Gunners are now set to turn their attention towards signing either RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko or Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, according to Record.

Gyokeres has been a revelation since moving to Sporting, scoring a remarkable 97 goals in 102 games in all competitions for the club.

The Sweden international had previously struggled for playing time at Brighton, and only really made a name for himself in the Championship with Coventry City.

Now, however, it’s easy to understand why Arsenal considered him, even if they now seem to favour Sesko or Watkins.

Viktor Gyokeres transfer saga takes another twist

Gyokeres has been the subject of much speculation recently, with Manchester United also linked with the 27-year-old.

There were some claims that Gyokeres had decided to reject the Red Devils, however, as he supposedly favoured a move to the Emirates Stadium.

See below, however, as Ben Jacobs has played that down, suggesting Man Utd could still be an option for the former Coventry man…

Gyokeres himself has not said much about his future, though he did seem to take a dig at some of the comments being made about him.

“There’s a lot of talk at the moment, most of it is false,” Gyokeres said last week, as reported by Fabrizio Romano. “I will speak when the time is right.”

Who should Arsenal sign up front this summer?

Gyokeres’ scoring record at Sporting is outstanding, but Arsenal might do better to go for someone more proven in one of the more competitive leagues.

Sesko is younger and has already impressed in the Bundesliga, while Watkins has the benefit of being proven in the Premier League.

Here’s a look at their scoring records in the last two seasons…

Who would you sign up front for Arsenal this summer? Let us know in the comments!

VIKYOR GYÖKERES 2024 | MAGIC SKILLS, GOALS & MORE | HD

 

MAN UNITED NAME RÚBEN AMORIM AS NEW MANAGER

Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Rúben Amorim as their new manager.

He signed a contract at Old Trafford until 2027 with the option of an additional year held by the club. Amorim, 39, will work a notice period with Sporting Lisbon before officially starting work at United on Nov. 11.

Caretaker boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain in charge for United's next three games before Amorim's first game against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Nov. 24.

A source told ESPN that United were aware of the terms of Amorim's contract before approaching Sporting and have negotiated a deal that will cut short his notice period by around three weeks.

He will be in charge of Sporting for their Champions League clash against Manchester City in Lisbon on Tuesday.

A statement issued by United on Friday read: "Rúben is one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football. Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting CP; the first of which was the club's first title in 19 years. Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to take charge of the team until Rúben joins."

United announced the sacking of Erik ten Hag on Monday following the 2-1 defeat to West Ham. A source told ESPN that the club sent a delegation to Lisbon the same day to inform Sporting of their intention to meet the release clause in Amorim's contract.

United are set to pay around €10 million ($10.87m), plus an additional fee of €1m to bring in members of Sporting's staff, sources have told ESPN. The makeup of Amorim's backroom at Old Trafford has not been confirmed.

Van Nistelrooy's long-term future at the club also remains up in the air, though he is set to take charge for his first league game against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.

- Rob Dawson, Correspondent

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: ISLAM SLIMANI GIVES LEICESTER CITY FC THEIR FIRST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE VICTORY AT HOME

Leicester City FC won their first ever Champions League win at home after beating Porto 1-0...Islam Slimani, a late record signing of 29 million pounds, is well known by Porto as he was so deadly against them when he played for Sporting Lisbon and this time he made no mistake as he scored from a Riyad Mahrez cross...He earned the nickname "The Dragon Slayer" when he was at Sporting Lisbon...Leicester have started well as a new comer in Europe's premier club competition...Porto on the other end hit the post through Jesus Corona but the Foxes held on...Leicester now lead Group F by 2 points followed by FC Copenhagen...The two teams will meet on 18 October...