Gyökeres on his way to Arsenal: €73.5 million deal agreed with Sporting

Arsenal have reached an agreement with Sporting CP for star striker Viktor Gyökeres in a deal worth €63.5 million guaranteed, with an additional €10 million in bonuses. The Swedish forward is now preparing to join the Premier League side.

According to The Athletic, Arsenal and Sporting CP have settled on a total package of €73.5 million for the 27-year-old. The deal includes a guaranteed payment of €63.5 million plus performance-related bonuses amounting to €10 million.

The €60+10 million claim: Rumoured verbal agreement according to A Bola

According to Portuguese sports daily A Bola, there was reportedly a secret “verbal agreement” made at the beginning of the season between Gyökeres’s agent and Sporting CP’s management. This alleged agreement would allow the player to leave the club for a fixed fee of €60 million plus €10 million in bonuses.

However, the same report states that Sporting President Frederico Varandas firmly rejected these claims:

“Gyökeres will not leave for that amount. I never authorised such a thing.”
“There hasn’t been a single official offer for him, neither this season nor the last.”

Varandas also suggested that these rumours were being fed to the media by the player’s agent, adding, “We cannot be pressured in this way.” Reuters also independently reported these remarks.

United were also in the race: Amorim wanted a reunion

Earlier reports suggested Manchester United had also made a serious push for Gyökeres. TalkSport claimed that Rúben Amorim, newly appointed as United’s manager, had identified the striker—his former player at Sporting—as one of his first targets in Manchester. According to the outlet, Amorim saw Gyökeres as the focal point of his forward line.

Meanwhile, The Sun reported that the Swedish forward was United’s “number one target” for the summer window. Despite the interest, the move never materialised.

Speaking with numbers: 97 goals in 102 games

In just two seasons at Sporting, Viktor Gyökeres has made 102 appearances, scoring 97 goals and providing 28 assists—a phenomenal output. Few strikers in Europe combine physical presence and intelligence as effectively as he does.

While the numbers speak volumes, it’s his influence on the pitch that truly defines him. His playing style is the real force behind those figures:

Who is Gyökeres: not just a goalscorer, but a complete forward with commanding presence

Gyökeres is more than just a goalscorer—he’s a structural force in any attacking system.

While his powerful physique stands out at first glance, his greatest strength on the pitch isn’t just his frame—it’s his game intelligence. His positioning around the penalty area, runs between centre-backs, and instinct for opportunities are top-level. His finishing, particularly with his left foot, is clinical, though he can also score stylish goals with his right.

He drops deep, holds off defenders, and links play with sharp passes that open up attacking moves. He’s always involved—not just the finisher, but often the one who initiates the move.

He’s not without weaknesses. His passing under pressure can be inconsistent, and he occasionally struggles with decision-making in high-tempo moments. Yet such is his overall impact that these flaws rarely diminish his value on the pitch.

In summary: Gyökeres is a complete player capable of not only boosting a Premier League team’s goal output but also elevating its overall attacking structure. On the pitch, he doesn’t just trouble centre-backs—he disrupts the entire flow of the game.

Arteta’s system continues to evolve

Arsenal have consistently been title contenders in the Premier League for the past three seasons. This absence had become a major obstacle in Arsenal’s pursuit of major trophies. Gabriel Jesus has battled recurring injuries, often leaving Arsenal without a true No.9. As a result, Arteta has had to reshuffle his front line more often than he would like, using the likes of Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz in unfamiliar roles.

Gyökeres could change that dynamic. It’s not only his finishing that stands out—his pressing, presence, and awareness lift everyone around him. The Swedish striker embodies the kind of intelligent, high-work-rate forward Arteta’s system demands. With Zubimendi, Nørgaard and Kepa strengthening the spine, Arsenal now look better equipped to meet the demands of both the Premier League and Europe.