Arsenal is reportedly on the verge of finalizing a deal for an £85 million star, with personal terms already largely agreed upon.
The club is focusing on securing a key transfer target this summer. New sporting director Andrea Berta is preparing for his first transfer window at N5, as Mikel Arteta and the Gunners aim to strengthen their squad after falling short in the Premier League title race against Liverpool.
Critics have pointed to the absence of a reliable centre-forward as a factor in their unsuccessful campaign. Gabriel Jesus was in excellent form before suffering a season-ending ACL injury, and while Kai Havertz has performed admirably in a makeshift striker role, neither player is viewed as a long-term solution capable of consistently scoring over 20 goals per season.
Pundit Ally McCoist emphasized the need for a prolific number nine, stating, *“It’s a crying shame… I see that ball flashing across the six-yard box. Havertz is an excellent footballer, but I believe he would score the same number of goals regardless of his position. A true centre forward would net you 20 or 25 goals.”*
Reports indicate that signing a striker is a top priority for Arsenal this summer, with several high-profile players linked to the club, including Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish forward is expected to leave the Primeira Liga after an outstanding season, having scored 52 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions. Such impressive statistics are sure to attract significant interest.
### Arsenal’s Progress on Gyökeres Deal
Arsenal has identified Gyökeres as a key target, with reports suggesting Berta is actively pursuing the former Coventry City player. According to *Football Transfers*, progress is being made on a potential acquisition, and Arsenal has arranged further discussions with Sporting, set to occur after the Portuguese Cup final later this month.
Additionally, it is reported that Arsenal is *“edging closer to finalizing an agreement”* for Gyökeres, with both the club and his representatives already in agreement on personal terms and the contract he would receive in north London. However, an agreement with Sporting has yet to be reached, necessitating upcoming negotiations in late May.
Sporting is expected to request a substantial portion of Gyökeres’ £85 million release clause upfront, or possibly the entire amount. Portuguese outlet *A Bola* suggests that interest from clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Bayern Munich, and other English rivals could drive Sporting to demand close to the full release clause.
Gyökeres’ Impact and Future
Sporting manager Rui Borges praised Gyökeres’ influence: *“I have stated this before and will continue to do so: he adds immense value to the team, and his teammates recognize his contributions, which is why they seek him out during matches. The collective effort is also crucial, as no one can achieve success alone. Viktor is a game-changer, and he will remain so, whether with us or elsewhere. His quality is indisputable; it is exceptional.”*
If signed, Gyökeres would become one of Arsenal’s most expensive signings ever, but his proven goal-scoring ability could justify the investment as the Gunners aim to compete for major trophies next season.
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