Arsenal have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres – and a medical has been scheduled for the weekend.
According to The Athletic, the in-demand frontman will move to the Emirates for an initial €63.5million (£54.8m) plus €10m (£8.7m) in add-ons.
Gyokeres is said to have been given permission to jet out to England to complete his medical after several rounds of negotiations finally resulted in a compromise on Friday. His medical checks could take place as soon as tomorrow.
He has been handed a shirt number steeped in Arsenal history: the famed No 14 famously worn by the club’s record goalscorer Thierry Henry.
An agreement in principle was struck earlier this week but recent talks focused on the exact make-up of the deak, including the inclusion of add-ons.
Gyokeres snubbed interest from Manchester United – and a reunion with Ruben Amorim – and was solely focused on sealing his switch to Arsenal, who swooped after he scored 54 goals in 52 matches for Sporting last season.
Mikel Arteta made the arrival of a new striker a priority after his side’s Premier League title challenge was derailed by long-term – and untimely – injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, leaving Arsenal without a recognised No 9 for much of the season.
Once again, the Gunners finished second behind champions Liverpool – a third consecutive campaign in which they were forced to settle for the runner-up spot.
Gyokeres first burst onto the scene at Coventry City after joining from Brighton in a deal worth around £1m. He then went on to move to Sporting for £17m in 2023.
There, he scored 97 goals and recorded 28 assists in his two seasons at the club, leading them to consecutive league titles and the Taca de Portugal last campaign.
Arsenal have been busy in the summer window, recruiting midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard from Real Sociedad and Brentford respectively. Forward Noni Madueke and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga also joined from Chelsea.
Yesterday, the signing of defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia was confirmed.
More to follow.
