Arsenal are finalising a move for Viktor Gyokeres, talkSPORT understands.
The Gunners have almost agreed a deal in principle with Sporting for the Swedish marksman following a breakthrough in talks on Saturday.
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It is understood the initial fee will be approximately €70million (£60.3m).
The rapid advancement in the deal transpired after a week in which the transfer came to a standstill as Arsenal had not yet reached Sporting’s asking price of €70m and €10m (£8m) in add-ons.
Sporting’s requested price represents a €30m (£25.8m) discount from Gyokeres’ release clause, which stands at €98m (£85m).
With the structure of the deal nearly complete, the transfer is expected to be completed quickly as Arsenal and Gyokeres have already agreed personal terms on a five-year deal.
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The end is now imminent for what has been a long-running saga that stretched beyond the current transfer window.
Arsenal were first linked with Gyokeres last summer, with reports of their interest continuing over the course of last season.
talkSPORT reported in June that the Swedish striker had decided to join Mikel Arteta’s side this summer, choosing them ahead of other potential Premier League suitors Manchester United.
Gyokeres was evidently intent on joining Arsenal after he was a no-show for the first day of Sporting’s pre-season.
The Swede’s snub prompted a stinging rebuke from Sporting president Frederico Varandas, as he insisted ‘no one is above the interests of the club.’
Varandas added: “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.”
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Gyokeres’ impending arrival at the Emirates will appease Arsenal supporters who had been clamouring for the club to sign an out-and-out striker.
Arteta had not signed a traditional centre-forward since he took charge of the Gunners in December 2019.
Gabriel Jesus was used as a striker and a right winger by Manchester City before his switch to the Emirates in the summer of 2022.
German international Kai Havertz arrived as an attacking midfielder following his arrival from Chelsea in June 2023 but has since been transformed into a centre-forward under Arteta.
Gunners fans will hope Gyokeres can replicate his absurd goalscoring form of last season given no Arsenal player scored more than ten league goals.
Havertz finished as Arsenal’s leading goalscorer in the Premier League last term with a tally of nine, although he missed 14 games due to a mix of illness and injury.
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Gyokeres is poised to become the Gunners’ fourth signing of the summer, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard already through the door.
The busy window marks a serious show of intent from Arteta and Arsenal as they look to shake off the tag of perennial bridesmaid.
Arteta’s side ended the 2024/25 Premier League season in second, the club’s third successive runners-up finish and ten points behind eventual winners Liverpool.
The Gunners have also failed to secure any silverware following their FA Cup triumph in 2020.
