Viktor Gyökeres gets the green light: Arsenal agreed on four easily achievable bonus clauses from as recently as yesterday demanding that one of the clauses from Sporting had to be made more difficult.
Arsenal are closing in on an agreement to sign Viktor Gyökeres, with the club agreeing to four simple bonus clauses.
Read: Newcastle in trouble as Liverpool chase big striker signing today
Arsenal in the process of securing Gyökeres
Arsenal are working intensely to make Sporting CP’s striker their big spring signing in an already hectic transfer window. The club has already confirmed the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Nørgaard, while deals for Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera are expected to be finalized before the end of the week.
But Arsenal are far from done, and the two biggest signings – Eberechi Eze and Gyökeres – are also on the way.
Lengthy negotiations are nearing clarification
The search for the Swedish striker has been long and complicated, with negotiations starting several weeks ago. A turbulent week seemed to be nearing a resolution on Wednesday, as Spanish media reported that a deal between Arsenal and Sporting was now “unlocked” and that the player would undergo a medical test later this week.
Read: The giant bid that turns football England on its head!
Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Arsenal are ready to pay a transfer fee of €63.5 million, plus €10 million in bonuses.
Four simple bonus clauses
According to Portuguese Record, Sporting have asked Arsenal to include four bonus payments of €2.5 million each (a total of €10 million) depending on the following criteria:
- 20 games for Arsenal – Could be achieved as early as October if he plays regularly under Mikel Arteta.
- Another 20 Matches – A new payout after a total of 40 matches.
- Champions League Qualification – Triggered if Arsenal qualify for the Champions League in his first season.
- 20 games in the second season – Final payout after a total of 60 games for the club.
Arsenal consider these clauses easy to fulfill, and have agreed to Sporting’s demands to get the deal done.
Gyökeres’ ‘revenge’ against Brighton
The move to Arsenal marks Gyökeres’ return to English football. He previously had a spell at Coventry City, where he scored 40 goals in 97 appearances and established himself as one of the Championship’s best strikers. But his time at Brighton was far less successful – he only got eight games in four years, and none in the Premier League.
In an interview, Gyökeres stated:
“It’s football, you never know. I don’t think too much about it, but it would have been nice to get the opportunity to play in the Premier League. I spent years there without a single game, so it would feel like a form of revenge.”
Sporting’s financial assessments
Sporting wanted to include simple bonuses to compensate for not receiving the full transfer fee themselves. Coventry City have a 10% clause on the sale, but this only applies to the fixed sum (€63.5 million), which ensures Sporting the highest possible deductible income.
Arsenal hope to be able to present Gyökeres soon, while the player himself is looking forward to proving himself in the Premier League.
