Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres has taken a bold step to push through his highly anticipated move to Arsenal, reportedly agreeing to forgo €2 million of his salary to help facilitate talks between the two clubs.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Swedish international has reached a full agreement on personal terms with Arsenal, committing to a deal that will keep him at the Emirates until June 2030. Gyökeres, 27, has made it clear that Arsenal is his sole priority this summer, despite interest from other top European clubs including Manchester United.
“Viktor Gyökeres has accepted to give up €2m from his salary in order to facilitate negotiations between Arsenal and Sporting,” Romano posted on X. “Sporting insist on higher fee compared to Arsenal proposal… and Gyökeres tries his best also giving up money to make it happen, as per Record.”
The prolific striker has been a sensation in Portugal, scoring an astonishing 97 goals and providing 28 assists in just 102 appearances since his €20 million move from Coventry City in 2023. His red-hot form in the 2024/25 season alone — 54 goals and 13 assists in 52 matches has made him one of Europe’s most coveted forwards.
However, the transfer has not been without complications. Gyökeres is believed to have had a gentleman’s agreement with Sporting to leave for €60 million plus €10 million in performance-related add-ons. But Sporting president Frederico Varandas has insisted on a much higher fee, reportedly demanding between €80–85 million, leading to growing tensions with the player and his camp.
Despite this, recent developments indicate that the deal is inching closer to completion. CNN Portugal reported that an Arsenal delegation travelled to Lisbon on Friday, where they made significant progress in negotiations. Talks are said to have broken the deadlock, with a proposed deal now valued at around €65 million plus €10–15 million in add-ons, including €5 million based on appearances.
Romano added that Gyökeres will not return to pre-season training with Sporting as he remains fully focused on securing his move to North London. Arsenal are eager to wrap up the transfer before their pre-season tour of Southeast Asia begins on July 23, with a fixture against AC Milan in Singapore.
Arsenal view Gyökeres as the perfect candidate to lead their front line following a campaign in which goals proved hard to come by. Injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus left the Gunners without a natural No. 9 for long stretches, and manager Mikel Arteta is keen to address that shortfall ahead of the new season.
