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Huge blow to Viktor Gyokeres’ £86m Arsenal move

By Daniel on March 22, 2024

Arsenal face a fresh battle to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer as Sporting Lisbon are hoping to agree a new contract with their star striker, according to A Bola.

Ahead of next season, Arsenal are keen to recruit a top striker to take their squad to the next level. Last week, reports suggested Gyokeres is emerging as a serious target for the Gunners.

MilanLive.it said the Gunners were so determined to land the 25-year-old that they were willing to pay his £86 million release clause.
Football Insider, echoing the Italian publication’s claim, revealed Arsenal were looking to cash in on Reiss Nelson for £25m to help fund their swoop for the Sporting CP star.

These two reports suggest that Arsenal are keen on signing Gyokeres, despite his hefty £86m release clause, as Mikel Arteta looks to bring in a new striker this summer.

Gyokeres transfer blow

However, Arsenal could be in for disappointment as A Bola claims that Sporting are preparing a new contract offer for their star striker. This new deal will result in a significant pay increase for the goal machine as well as an increase in his release clause from £86 million to £102 million.

If the striker signs the new deal, Arsenal will face paying over £100m for him this summer. It’s unlikely the Gunners will be prepared to pay that kind of money for the ex-Coventry City hitman, despite his sensational form this season.

Gyokeres has scored 36 goals and provided a further 14 assists in 39 games, so he’s one of the most potent attackers in Europe. However, Arteta is eyeing deals for a midfielder, a defender, and a goalkeeper as well as a striker. Therefore, it’s unlikely Arsenal will be able to spend £102m to fill just one of those positions.

However, having played in the Championship for Coventry before Sporting CP came calling in 2023, the 19-capped Swedish international will surely fancy an opportunity to play in the Premier League. So hopefully he refuses to sign a new deal as that will open the door for a move to the Emirates, and Arsenal may even be able to negotiate a fee lowest than his current £86m release clause.