Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer close as Man Utd failure explained | Football | Sport
Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of a total agreement with Sporting CP for the transfer of Viktor Gyokeres. They have beaten Manchester United to the Swede’s signature after weeks of rumours and an ongoing saga. United had been bidding to reunite the striker with his former boss, Ruben Amorim, but he opted for Champions League football in north London instead.
The move had turned ugly, with Gyokeres refusing to return to training in Lisbon and threatening to issue a legal letter claiming that a gentleman’s agreement had been broken over his transfer fee. But the Gunners are close to putting such drama to bed while getting a deal over the line for a new striker.
The Athletic claim that after an initial agreement was reached between clubs of £55million and £8.6m in add-ons, they then set about discussing the terms of those payments and additional fees. Those negotiations are now close to completion after lengthy talks.
United were always linked, even last week reports from Portugal emerged that they had agreed a deal under Arsenal‘s nose, but the 27-year-old only wanted to work under Mikel Arteta and is ready to pen a five-year contract.
He is now set to link up with his new team-mates on Arsenal‘s pre-season tour in Singapore, becoming their fifth summer signing after Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
“You know I cannot comment on any player that is not part of our group yet,” Arteta said of Gyokeres in a press conference on Monday. “When we have something concrete to offer in any case to any player, we will do that.”
Sporting are also closing in on a replacement, with Almeria striker Luis Suarez earmarked to take over.
Reports in Portugal claimed that Gyokeres had grown frustrated with the slow-moving nature of his pending Arsenal transfer, which ensured that he could not join his new club for the beginning of their tour.
He will soon be able to undergo a medical and put pen to paper, though Arsenal‘s first friendly with AC Milan on Wednesday is thought to come too soon for a potential debut.
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