Arsenal confirm Viktor Gyokeres transfer as summer spending passes £200million in Premier League title bid

Arsenal have announced the £63.7million signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon – with the striker to wear the iconic No.14 shirt.

The Gunners agreed to pay an initial £55m with £8.7m in add-ons for one of Europe’s most sought-after centre-forwards.

In Gyokeres, Arsenal have signed their first natural No. 9 since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January 2018.

Gyokeres has arrived in north London following two stunning seasons at Sporting, during which he scored 97 goals in 102 appearances.

A drawn-out transfer saga has finally concluded with Arsenal making their Premier League title ambitions clear with a statement arrival.

The Sweden international has penned a five-year deal at the Emirates.

He could now be in line for his debut against rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong on Thursday.

Speaking of his delight at sealing his switch, Gyokeres remarked: “I always want to score.

“To be a part of this club and to score in this kit and with this badge in front of all the supporters, I can’t wait. It will be an amazing feeling.

“I started here [in England], it feels like a long time ago. I think I’ve improved a lot since then.

“Now I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team. 

“It’s a big honour to play for your country, and then to score goals for them is amazing.

“When I played at Sporting, I scored a few goals in the Champions League so I feel that I can be on that level as well.

“Now to come here to a club on Arsenal’s level, I think it’s going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I’m really excited to get going.”

Manager Mikel Arteta meanwhile said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Viktor Gyökeres to the club.

“The consistency he has shown in his performances and availability have been outstanding, and his goal contributions speak for themselves.

“Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels.

“He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat.

“We’re excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him.

“We welcome Viktor and his family to Arsenal.”

Gyokeres was at loggerheads with senior officials at Sporting during the summer as he sought a move away from Portugal.

Sporting initially asked for around £61m and £10m in add-ons, but the removal of a ten per cent agent commission led to a lower fixed fee.

He did not appear for the first day of pre-season, and club president Frederico Varandas insisted ‘no one is above the interests of the club’.

Arsenal first eyed 27-year-old Gyokeres last summer and as talkSPORT reported in June, he chose them over their rivals Manchester United.

Coventry City, who sold Gyokeres to Sporting for approximately £20m in 2023, will receive a ten per cent sell-on fee from the profit.

Arsenal’s total summer spending has now exceeded the £200m mark.

Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke were their first two big-money signings in respective £55m and £52m switches.

Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga are the other three arrivals at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are set for a fourth consecutive Premier League title charge in the upcoming season.

Back-to-back-to-back second-place finishes have seen them extend their wait for a first league triumph since 2004.

The Gunners also haven’t won major silverware since the FA Cup in 2020, with Arteta now heading into his seventh season in charge.