Viktor Gyökeres’ Arsenal Move Sparks Salary Storm: Wages Higher Than the Top Three?
As Viktor Gyökeres prepares to complete his medical ahead of a high-profile move to Arsenal, a fresh controversy is emerging—not about the transfer fee, but his wage packet. A series of unverified leaks circulating online claim that Gyökeres is set to earn more than Arsenal’s top three earners combined, igniting talk of a potential “wage war” within the club’s dressing room. But how much truth is there behind the buzz?
The Reported Deal
Arsenal have been pursuing Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres all summer, with Mikel Arteta keen to bolster his attacking options. The 26-year-old Swedish forward scored 43 goals across all competitions last season and has a reported release clause of around €100 million (£85m). While the transfer fee itself is massive, it’s the reported wages that have caused eyebrows to raise.
Several reputable sources, including Sports Mole and Planet Football, suggest that Arsenal have offered Gyökeres a weekly salary of around £200,000 to £220,000. This would make him one of the highest earners at the club but still well below the figures for top earners like Kai Havertz (£280,000), Gabriel Jesus (£265,000), and Declan Rice or Martin Ødegaard (each reportedly on £240,000).
The Leak and the Backlash
This week, rumors began to swirl online about “leaked documents” showing Gyökeres’ salary eclipsing that of the club’s top three earners combined. That would suggest a weekly wage north of £785,000—a figure that simply doesn’t align with Arsenal’s wage structure or any credible reporting. The “leak” has not been verified by any major outlets, and several analysts have dismissed it as misinformation or social media exaggeration.
Still, the rumor has already stirred debate among fans and pundits. Some argue that offering a massive wage to a new signing, no matter how talented, could destabilize squad harmony. Others believe the claim is overblown and part of a media strategy to pressure Arsenal during negotiations.
Reality Check
There’s currently no solid evidence supporting the claim that Gyökeres is set to earn more than Arsenal’s top three earners combined. All reliable reports put his potential salary in the £200,000–£220,000 range. Even at £220,000, he would be behind Havertz, Jesus, and Rice in terms of wages.
Furthermore, Arsenal under Edu and Arteta have been careful about wage structure ever since the Mesut Özil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang deals strained their finances. It’s unlikely they would risk repeating those mistakes, even for a marquee signing.
Conclusion
While Gyökeres is poised to become one of Arsenal’s best-paid players, the claim that he’ll be earning more than the club’s top three stars combined lacks credibility. Unless the rumored leaked documents are substantiated by trustworthy sources, it appears the “wage war” narrative is more fiction than fact. That said, if the striker hits the ground running and justifies his price tag, few will be complaining about his paycheck.