Viktor Gyökeres is a top target for Arsenal, but a lot of back and forth with Sporting has been rumoured in recent days claiming Manchester United are trying to hijack the transfer.
An Arsenal player has spoken out about Viktor Gyökeres after allegations that Manchester United are trying to sabotage Arsenal’s pursuit of Sporting CP’s Swedish striker.
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Gyökeres is Arsenal’s priority target this summer, and for a long time it looked like a deal was well on the way. Personal terms were easily clarified, and the clubs reportedly agreed on a fixed transfer fee of £54.8 million
But the parties have not agreed on the structure for the £8.6 million that is in performance-based bonuses in the deal.
Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas is calling for “almost guaranteed bonuses”, while Arsenal want the bonuses to be harder to obtain. This has created a deadlock.
In light of this, some media outlets have claimed that United are trying to take advantage of the situation and hijack Gyökeres, who played under Ruben Amorim at Sporting.
However, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Gyökeres has rejected United and only eyes for Arsenal – news that will please defender Gabriel Magalhães, who praised the striker’s abilities after seeing him score 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting.
Arsenal faced Gyökeres and Sporting in last year’s Champions League and managed to hold him goalless in a 5-1 win at the Estádio José Alvalade.
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Gabriel on Gyökeres: “A big challenge
“When we met him, it was definitely a big challenge for us,” Gabriel said in a new interview with The Athletic.
“What we know now is that he’s a fantastic player who certainly had a great season last year.”
It was claimed that Mikel Arteta demanded that Gyökeres join Arsenal’s pre-season trip to Asia, but a deal was not finalised in time.
However, according to the BBC’s Simon Stone, there is a “strong feeling” that United are not actually trying to outdo Arsenal, but rather are “being used in a political game”.
Why the deal has stalled
As Sport Witness explains, Sporting want to receive €2.5 million when Gyökeres plays 20 games, then another €2.5 million for the next 20 games, and €2.5 million if Arsenal qualify for the Champions League four seasons in a row.
They should also receive €2.5 million if Gyökeres play 20 more games in the 2026/27 season.
Arsenal, on the other hand, want some of the bonuses to be harder to obtain, which has caused the delay.
