Kenya, June 30 -- Arsenal Football Club is reportedly nearing a breakthrough in their pursuit of Sporting CP's prolific striker Viktor Gyokeres, with negotiations gaining momentum as the summer transfer window heats up.
According to multiple sources, including The Mirror and football.london, the Gunners have reached an agreement with Gyokeres' agent on a potential €60 million (£51.2m) transfer fee, plus €10 million (£8.5m) in performance-based add-ons, following a rejected initial bid of €55 million (£47m).
The 27-year-old Swedish international has emerged as a top target for manager Mikel Arteta, who aims to bolster Arsenal's attacking options after three consecutive seasons as Premier League runners-up.
Gyokeres, who scored 43 goals in 50 appearances for Sporting last season, has publicly expressed frustration with the Portuguese club's reluctance to honour an alleged agreement allowing his departure for €70 million.
Portuguese outlet Record reports that Gyokeres has informed Sporting he will not play for them again, citing a sense of betrayal, and is pushing for a move to Arsenal. This development has intensified speculation, with fans claiming Gyokeres "only has eyes for Arsenal" and has told friends he expects to join the Gunners.
However, Manchester United remains in the race, with reports suggesting Gyokeres is open to reuniting with his former Sporting manager, Ruben Amorim, at Old Trafford.
Despite this, Arsenal's offer of Champions League football and a likely title challenge gives them an edge.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas has confirmed Gyokeres could leave for less than his €100 million (£85.4m) release clause, citing recent transfers like Matheus Cunha's €75 million move to United as a benchmark. Varandas emphasised that Sporting is "calm" but expects a fair price for their star forward.
Arsenal's sporting director, Andrea Berta, is also exploring other options, including RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, but Gyokeres remains a priority.
The Gunners have already secured personal terms with Valencia's Cristhian Mosquera and are close to finalising deals for Brentford's Christian Norgaard and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, signalling an ambitious transfer window.
Fans are buzzing with anticipation, with many praising Gyokeres' goal-scoring prowess and physicality as ideal for the Premier League.
As negotiations continue, Arsenal's pursuit of the Swedish striker could define their 2025-26 season, with a potential announcement expected soon if the clubs agree on a fee.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.