Arsenal’s long chase for Viktor Gyokeres may soon come to a frustrating end — and not in the way fans had hoped.
Despite weeks of talks, back-and-forth offers, and headlines, the move from Sporting CP to North London is now hanging by a thread.
It all looked close to done. Arsenal reportedly offered a package worth €70 million, including €10 million in add-ons.
Sporting were open to the deal — but only if the bonus payments were easy to trigger. Here’s the catch: Arsenal don’t agree.
They’ve reportedly only made €3 million of the add-ons achievable. That’s the sticking point that may tear the deal apart (via A Bola).
Gyokeres is eager to join. The Swedish striker even skipped Sporting’s preseason training to make his stance clear.
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His agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, has apparently already waived his commission fee to smoothen the process. But even that hasn’t helped the talks move forward.
The deal has become a transfer soap opera, with more twists than a Premier League title race. Just when Arsenal thought they were through on goal — the move’s now at risk of going out for a corner.
Arsenal looks for Viktor Gyokeres alternative
With negotiations stalling, the Gunners have started scouting for plan B. RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has been discussed, and some voices around the club are now backing a push for Hugo Ekitike instead.
Former Premier League midfielder Don Hutchison said:
“Personally, I would have gone for Hugo Ekitike because I think he suits how Arsenal play… but Viktor Gyokeres, there’s just no denying he will deliver you hatfuls of goals.”
Gyokeres has an impressive record — 54 goals last season alone — and he even bagged a hat trick against Manchester City in the Champions League.
But Sporting won’t budge on the bonus clause. And Arsenal? They’re not blinking either.
This could all come down to who’s willing to give an inch. Otherwise, the deal may go the way of Arsenal’s past striker hunts — full of promise, but ending in disappointment.
