Swedish Striker’s Dream Move Stalls Amid Stubborn Standoff With Sporting
Arsenal’s pursuit of star striker Viktor Gyokeres has hit a major roadblock, with negotiations between the Gunners and Sporting Lisbon collapsing over a £10 million valuation gap—leaving the Swedish international in limbo.
The 27-year-old, who netted an astonishing 54 goals last season, appeared destined for the Emirates after reportedly agreeing to personal terms on a six-year deal. But Sporting’s refusal to lower their £60.4 million asking price has seen Arsenal’s delegation return to London empty-handed, with talks now at a tense standstill.
Broken Promises and Training Boycotts
Sources reveal Gyokeres feels betrayed by Sporting’s leadership, believing they reneged on a gentleman’s agreement to let him leave for £51.7 million plus add-ons. The striker has stopped attending training in protest and even offered to sacrifice £1.7 million of his future Arsenal wages to facilitate the move—a gesture that’s so far failed to break the deadlock.
“Gyokeres has made his position painfully clear—he sees his future at Arsenal and nowhere else,” a source close to the player told Record. “But Sporting are digging in, and time is running out.”
Arsenal’s Backup Plans
With the deal hanging by a thread, Arsenal are reportedly ready to walk away unless Sporting soften their stance. Fenerbahce lie in wait as a potential loan destination, but Gyokeres—who thrived at Coventry before moving to Portugal—is understood to prioritize a Premier League return.
The Gunners have already secured midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m) and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m) this window, with Brentford’s Christian Norgaard (£12m) also nearing completion. Attention may now shift to alternative targets like Benjamin Šeško or even a surprise move for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke.
What Next?
As the clock ticks, the coming 48 hours could prove decisive. Will Sporting blink? Can Arsenal justify meeting the higher fee? Or will Gyokeres’ dream move collapse entirely? One thing’s certain—Mikel Arteta’s search for a clinical striker just got more complicated.
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