Arsenal finally seal Gyokeres deal for reported €73.5M
Arsenal concluded their arduous pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres on Saturday.
The most prolific goal-scorer across Europe's top tiers in the 2024-25 campaign joined the Gunners from Sporting CP for an initial €63.5-million fee, with a further €10 million in bonuses, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein.
Gyokeres's long-term contract in north London will run until June 2030, Ornstein adds.
The 27-year-old will wear the No. 14 shirt, a number made iconic at Arsenal by club legend Thierry Henry, and immediately join the squad on its preseason tour in Asia.
"Viktor has so many qualities," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. "He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goal-scoring 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."
Negotiations with Sporting weren't straightforward throughout this process.
Gyokeres didn't report to preseason training in an effort to push the deal through. He believed a gentleman's agreement was in place with the Portuguese side, which allowed him to leave if a club arrived with an offer worth an initial €60 million.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas eventually verbally agreed to an overall €73.5-million package for the Swedish striker, but talks still weren't over between the two clubs. Sporting quibbled with the add-on payments tied into the offer to ensure there was a clear possibility of receiving the extra €10 million. Gyokeres' agent waived his commission to help get the deal done, Ornstein reports.
Gyokeres emerged as Arsenal's top center-forward target this summer as Arteta identified the position as the main area that needed an upgrade for his team to make the leap from runners-up to Premier League champions.
Arsenal have finished second in England's top flight in each of the last three seasons, with their lack of a true No. 9 often cited as their biggest weakness.
Gyokeres has developed into one of the most prolific players in Europe since moving to Sporting from Coventry City in 2023. He scored 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions last season as Sporting won a domestic double.
"I always want to score," Gyokeres said. "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."
The rapid center-forward is Arsenal's sixth senior signing of the summer. Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta also completed deals for winger Noni Madueke, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, defender Cristhian Mosquera, and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.