Arsenal has been close to resolving a thorny issue for months: the signing of a new striker to compensate for the significant numerical shortage that Mikel Arteta’s squad has suffered over the past two seasons.
According to the BBC, the Gunners have almost agreed on a deal for Viktor Gyökeres , Europe’s second-highest scorer last season, to join the Emirates Stadium in a deal that would be huge on all fronts.
Personal terms are no longer an obstacle to Gyökeres’ move to Arsenal; the only obstacle remains an agreement with his club, Sporting Lisbon.
The Portuguese club was supposed to release the player for €60 million plus €10 million in add-ons, as previously agreed. However, the Lisbon management backed out and wanted more money, sparking a crisis between them and Gyökeres.
The 24-year-old’s contract with Sporting Lisbon runs until 2028, giving the club leverage in negotiations. His release clause is set at €100 million, a figure Arsenal is unwilling to meet.
Arsenal’s management is expected to begin negotiations with their counterparts in Lisbon soon, hoping that the player’s pressure will succeed in reducing the sale price.
RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sisko was the leading candidate to bolster Arsenal’s striker position this summer, but the German club is demanding more than €80 million, which has led the London club to explore other options and ultimately settle on Gyökeres.
