Arsenal have reached an agreement to complete the signing of Victor Gyokeres from Sporting CP with a medical set for this week, as per David Ornstein of The Athletic.
The 27-year-old arrives in north London with a phenomenal record, scoring 54 goals in 52 appearances last season, including 39 in the Portuguese top flight. He averaged more than a goal per game and consistently demonstrated his lethal instinct in front of the goal.
The report from The Athletic claims that the Gunners will pay an initial €63.5 million (£54.8 million) for Gyokeres, with an additional €10 million in performance-related add-ons. The striker is set to undergo his medical on Saturday after receiving permission to travel from Sporting.
It is further claimed that the Swedish player will wear the iconic No. 14 shirt, once worn by the legendary Thierry Henry. The forward had his heart set on Arsenal from the very beginning and sharing that same commitment, his agent even waived his commission to ensure the move went through.
Arsenal Fever View:
For fans who have waited patiently through seasons of “almost,” this moment offers not just excitement, but belief. For too long, Arsenal had everything but a killer in the box. The team that operated in collective rhythm had the swagger, the flair, the defence, the work ethic, and the midfield brains. But when it came to the final third, they lacked a predator, and when it mattered most, that lack was exposed cruelly.
Let that sink in. After three seasons of heartbreak, of coming close but never close enough, of being mocked while rivals lifted silverware, the fans finally have something to shout about.
Meanwhile, Liverpool lifted the Premier League, Chelsea paraded the FIFA Club World Cup, and even their noisy neighbours from north London broke their trophy curse with a European win after 17 long years. But for Arsenal, the best they did was to finish as the runners-up in the English Premier League, again and again and again.
But even when the clouds hovered low, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. It was coming from Lisbon. It was coming from a man named Victor Gyökeres. There was drama, of course there was. Man United tried to hijack the deal, but Victor Gyökeres stood firm, as he wanted only Arsenal.
Let’s not forget the backstory. This guy was let go by Brighton for peanuts. Went to Coventry. Then to Portugal, and he worked his way up, brick by brick. This is a player who deserves to wear the red and white.
The 27-year-old even waived part of his agent’s commission just to make the deal happen as a priority. Who does that? Only someone who truly wants to be here. Someone who is ready for the Emirates. This goes to show that he is all set to make a telling impact in the club.
And with Andrea Berta pulling strings behind the scenes, Arsenal have also brought in Zubimendi, Norgaard, Kepa, Madueke, and Mosquera to add immense depth to their squad.
