Arsenal’s deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres could be finalised by July 20 but there’s a new reason why it hasn’t been completed, according to reports.
It was thought that the Gunners had won the race to land Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon until a shock transfer update emerged earlier this week.
Arsenal’s move for the Swedish international striker was believed to be at risk of a ‘complete collapse’ – but there has been a fresh twist after talks.
Portuguese outlet Record report that there’s now a ‘good chance’ that Arsenal’s deal to sign Gyokeres could be finalised by the end of this week.
Why have Arsenal not signed Viktor Gyokeres?
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The reason why Arsenal haven’t yet completed a move for the 27-year-old is because the two clubs are ‘separated by €2.5m’ (£2.1m).
According to another Portuguese outlet, A Bola, Arsenal have already offered Sporting €63.5m plus €10m in bonuses for Gyokeres’ signature.
The €2.5m difference between Arsenal and Sporting is thought to be in relation to the €10m in add-ons. The Gunners are happy to pay €7.5m in easily achievable bonus clauses, but are currently in talks with Sporting about the final €2.5m. After that is agreed, the deal should be completed.
Sporting’s four specific clauses
According to Record, Sporting have requested four specific clauses to included – each worth €2.5m – to total €10m in add-ons:
- Gyokeres’ first 20 games for Arsenal
- Gyokeres playing 20 games in his second season
- Arsenal qualifying for the Champions League
- Gyokeres playing 40 games in his second season
Arsenal are happy with each of these clauses – but feel one of them should relate to a more ambitious goal.
Viktor Gyokeres warned ahead of Arsenal move
Arsenal have long been in desperate need of a new striker, with some football pundits adamant that a lack of firepower up top is the reason why the north London club have fallen short in the last few top-flight title races.
Gyokeres would surely fill the void given he’s produced a remarkable tally of 97 goals and 28 assists across just 102 games for Sporting to date.
But William Gallas has issued a warning to Gyokeres ahead of his expected summer move to Arsenal.
‘He’s not just making one step,’ Gallas told Genting Casino. ‘Going from Sporting to Arsenal right now is more like two or three steps.
‘He will be playing against defenders who are really strong, maybe the strongest. In the first season, he will need to adapt.
‘He’s tall, he’s massive, so I may get attacked for saying this but in Portugal, he had a much bigger advantage on the defenders.
‘He will need to adapt to the Premier League defenders quickly.
‘There’s a chance that his second year is much stronger than his first year at Arsenal.
‘But Arsenal will not be wanting to wait for a major trophy any longer. And the signing of a striker is seen as that last piece of the puzzle to do exactly that.
‘I hope that, if he comes in, he hits the ground running. We’ve all been waiting for Arsenal to sign a killer.
‘Only time will tell if Gyokeres is an assassin in the Premier League.’
