Arsenal Close In on Gyokeres After €80m Breakthrough

Arsenal are now close to agreeing a deal to bring Viktor Gyokeres after advancing in talks with Sporting Lisbon, who have granted the striker additional time off with his future hanging in the balance.

Gyokeres, 27, has been linked with a whole host of Europe's elite off the back of another stellar season with Sporting. But Arsenal has been and remains the Swede's preferred destination, with the Gunners in the market for a quality No 9 this summer.

Arsenal have also been working on a deal for Benjamin Sesko; another long-term target.

But a move for Gyokeres is now the priority and, according to the latest reports from Europe, a deal is finally close.

While the two clubs have yet to agree on a fee, it's understood that Arsenal and Gyokeres have already struck an agreement on personal terms.

And with the player prioritising a move to Arsenal over all other suitors, it now looks extremely likely that a deal will be done.

Mirror Football outlined earlier this weekend that Gyokeres had been granted four additional days of leave by Sporting, whose players return for pre-season on Monday.

That follows a threat of strike action from Gyokeres, who has been left frustrated by the club's stance over a sale this summer.

Gyokeres scored 54 goals in 52 games for the Portuguese champions last season and was always expected to move on ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. However, talk of a gentleman's agreement with the player's representatives that he could leave for around €60million (£51.8m) plus add-ons was shot down by Sporting's president, Frederico Varandas.

Sporting are understood to want around €80m (£69m) for their striker, which would make Gyokeres the most expensive Swedish player in history.

News of a breakthrough in talks for Gyokeres comes hot on the heels of Martin Zubimendi being officially unveiled as an Arsenal player on Sunday. Mikel Arteta is said to be pushing for a swift conclusion to Arsenal's striker search with his team set to return for pre-season soon.

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.