Viktor Gyokeres will be an Arsenal player within a matter of hours, with the Sporting CP striker flying into London to complete his blockbuster transfer.
At €80 million, including bonuses, Gyokeres will become Arsenal’s most expensive signing of the summer to date and will rank joint-second with Nicolas Pepe should the Gunners trigger all his additional payments.
Record reports that he is jetting into London on Friday to begin his medicals with the Gunners and there is still a chance that he will be present on the club’s Far East Tour. A debut in the clash against Tottenham Hotspur in the Hong Kong clash on Thursday even seems a possibility.
Arsenal have had to fight hard to get the deal over the line. While the relationship between Gyokeres and the Lisbon side growing increasingly acrimonious, sporting director Andrea Berta was locked in talks to get a move over the line.
Bonus payments proved to be a particular sticking point in the transfer, but these have now been resolved.
How are Gyokeres’ bonus payments triggered?
Arsenal could pay a total of €10m in bonus payments for the Gyokeres deal, with none of the add-ons seen as particularly taxing.
Transfer expert Ben Jacobs has revealed the makeup of the bonus payments, which have been confirmed by Record.
- Every 20 appearances of 45 minutes or more: €1.25m up to €5m
- Every 20 goal contributions: €500m up to €1m
- Every seasonal qualification for the Champions League group phase: €1m up to €4m
In order for Arsenal to pay the full €10m, Gyokeres will need to play 80 times and contribute 40 goals (goals and assists). On top of this, the Gunners will need to qualify for the Champions League four times.
Arsenal had been pushing for harder bonus payments to attain, but seem to have won something of a victory with the Champions League qualification payments. These will at least ensure that they are spreading these additional bonuses for Gyokeres out over a prolonged period.
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