Arsenal are negotiating with Sporting on the transfer of Viktor Gyokeres, the deal will be completed after agreeing on a payment structure.
Sporting wants a total fee of around 60-70 million pounds, including 10-15 million pounds in add-ons that Arsenal are negotiating. If the fee is so high, the Gunners are aiming for a more "affordable" payment structure. Most of the discussion is currently focusing on the feasibility of the additional fees.
Coach Mikel Arteta wants a new striker before the 2025-2026 season begins. That is the reason why they are determined to chase their striker.
Arsenal's board have been involved in a discussion on whether to pursue RB Leipzig's Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko, with Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins as a backup option. In the end, the difficulty in making a deal with Sesko caused Arsenal to switch to Gyokeres.
The pursuit of Gyokeres is the first sign of the influence of new sporting director Andrea Berta at the Emirates, because he likes this striker. While many other members of the board rate the Swedish striker and Sesko equally, there are some considerations such as age and adaptability.
Arsenal still need at least 10 million Euros to reach Leipzig's valuation for Sesko. The German club wants to receive a deposit of 40 million Euros in release documents and the remaining 40 million Euros will be divided into various payments.
Another problem is that Arsenal have not yet agreed all personal terms with Sesko, as the deadlock lasted until last week. Berta especially felt that Leipzig's demand was too high. Arsenal are said to be increasingly disappointed with the pace of negotiations in the Sesko deal.
Arteta, with the desire to avoid a prolonged negotiation battle, has prompted the club to explore other options more positively.
There is no such complication for Gyokeres, who has been making it clear for months that he only wants to join Arsenal. individual terms have been agreed and only the final details need to be resolved with Sporting, for a deal that could be up to £60 million.
After recruiting the striker, Arsenal is still expected to bring in two more new players. They have negotiated with Chelsea about Noni Madueke, when the Stamford Bridge team wanted 50 million pounds. The two sides are still negotiating prices because Arsenal want a figure of about 40 million pounds.
Arsenal are also interested in Real Madrid's Rodrygo and especially Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, but have yet to make any specific moves.
The Emirates team could have to sell players as the majority of the budget has been allocated to a striker and Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad. The Spanish midfielder's signing was finally confirmed last Sunday.
