Viktor Gyokeres is increasingly likely to make his debut in the Premier League at Old Trafford next month – it just won’t be for Manchester United.
Arsenal travel to the Theatre of Dreams to face Ruben Amorim’s side on August 17 for the opening weekend of the new season.
But Mikel Arteta will be able to call upon Amorim’s former protégé up front as the North London club draws closer and closer to agreeing a deal with Sporting CP for Gyokeres.
All Eyes on the Emirates
United were interested in signing Gyokeres this summer but the lack of European football at Old Trafford this year prohibited a move as the 27-year-old striker prioritised Champions League qualification above all else.
This quickly led the Sweden international to communicate his preference to join Arsenal with their new sporting director, Andrea Berta, a huge fan.
Portuguese outlet A Bola reveals Arsenal reached an agreement on personal terms with Gyokeres in May on a five-year contract with a net worth £7 million per season.
The Gunners have tabled an offer worth €75 million (€65m + €10m in add-ons) to Sporting but the Portuguese champions are holding out for a formula of €80m – €70m up front with €10m in add-ons – to sanction their star player’s departure.
A Bola reports there is “belief” in Lisbon that Arsenal will return with an improved offer by Friday – the day Gyokeres is due to return for pre-season training with the Lions – with Arteta “pushing hard” for the deal to be completed.
Gyokeres’ Intent
Gyokeres is mirroring the desire of his potential new manager for an agreement with the striker “fully focused” on securing his move to Arsenal.
In fact, the Swede is willing to give up €2 million (£1.7m) of his annual salary to help facilitate the deal, according to A Bola .
“Such is the Swedish striker’s desire to wear the Arsenal shirt that, we have learned, he even gave up €2 million of those €8.3 million he had initially agreed, so that Arsenal could improve their offer, bringing it to the current €65+15. But even that wasn’t enough to convince Sporting.
“The current expectation is now €70+10, which would allow Sporting to reach the total €80 million that president Frederico Varandas has always set as the target.”
Evidently, Gyokeres has his heart set on the Emirates – and without the prospect of Champions League football next season, Old Trafford was never a viable option for the Sporting frontman.
Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reveals his trademark ‘Here we go’ is expected soon to bring an end to this transfer saga.
Featured image Gualter Fatia via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
