Arsenal 'close to reaching verbal agreement' with in-demand Viktor Gyokeres - as Gunners target Monaco star in double summer swoop
The 27-year-old is one of Europe's most sought-after strikers having netted 54 times in 52 appearances for Sporting last season and has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal or Manchester United.
The Swede has been embroiled in a spat with Sporting's director over attempts to increase his potential fee for a transfer.
Gyokeres is thought to believe he reached a gentleman's agreement with Sporting last summer that would see them accept a fee in the region of €70m (£60m) including add-ons at the end of the season.
But Sporting are said to be holding out for a significantly higher fee.
Gyokeres is reportedly set to snub the Portuguese side's pre-season training and will look to force a move through.
And Arsenal are now close to reaching a verbal agreement with Gyokeres' agent Hasan Cetinkaya, according to L'Equipe.
The Gunners are also eyeing Monaco attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, who is reportedly the target of interest from Manchester United, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
Monaco appear to be resigned to losing the France Under-21 star, who they value at around €70m (£60m).
Last season, the Frenchman scored seven goals and provided assists in 43 games in all competitions for the Ligue 1 side.
Arteta's side are keen to bolster their attack after an injury-ravaged campaign up top saw their title bid unravel.
A move for Gyokeres now appears increasingly likely, with the Swede unhappy with
comments made by Sporting president Frederico Varandas.
Speaking about a transfer, Varandas said: 'Sporting is calm regarding this matter. Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyokeres. Fortunately, we have moved past the phase of selling our main asset.
'However, we remain sensitive to Viktor's dreams or those of any other athlete. Sporting has made a commitment that, after weeks of meetings, we will not demand the full amount of the clause; we will be reasonable regarding the amount requested for Viktor.'
Although Varandas acknowledged that Gyokeres is likely to depart, he stated that the fee will be much higher than the potential price of £60m plus £10m in add-ons.
He also claimed that Gyokeres is worth more than Matheus Cunha, who joined Manchester United from Wolves for £62.5m.
Varandas said: 'Today, there is a strong likelihood that he will leave. I won't disclose the amount, but the player knows what it is. I can say that Viktor will not leave for 60+10m. He won't leave, absolutely not.
'We have been watching the market and I saw [Martin] Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, leave for €65m. I saw Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both forwards but who, in my opinion, do not have Viktor's market value or quality, being negotiated for around €75m.
'Given the demands we consider fair, I believe Viktor could leave – unless he has the worst agent in the world, which is hard for me to believe, because he is one of the best footballers in the world.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
8 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Arsenal handed Rodrygo boost as Real Madrid star is benched for the THIRD game in a row - as Xabi Alonso's attacking options grow to increase doubts over forward's future
Arsenal 's pursuit of Real Madrid star Rodrygo has been boosted further after the forward was again left out of their starting line-up at the FIFA Club World Cup. Rodrygo's future has been a major talking point heading into the tournament, amid reports his performances would help dictate whether he remains at the club this summer. The winger had appeared destined to leave Madrid after telling the club he never wanted to play for them again before choosing not to play in El Clasico against Barcelona in May. Rodrygo felt he was behind superstar team-mates Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellinghams in the pecking order and saw his role depleted towards the end of the season, as he frequently was left on the bench under Carlo Ancelotti. New Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso appeared to offer Rodrygo a route back into the side and gave the 24-year-old a start in their opening Club World Cup match. The Brazilian provided an assist in Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal in the group stage, where he played 65 minutes. Arsenal have been looking for attacking reinforcements during the summer transfer window Rodrygo, however, has since seen his game time limited with Alonso naming him on the bench for the three consecutive matches. While he came off the bench in the closing stages of their group stage win over RB Salzburg, Rodrygo was an unused substitute against Mexican side Pachuca and Italian giants Juventus on Tuesday. Real Madrid earned a 1-0 win over Juventus to book a place in the quarter-finals, with Gonzalo Garcia scoring the only goal of the match. Garcia, 21, has forced his way into the Real Madrid attack at the tournament after Kylian Mbappe's bout of gastroentiritis. The Spaniard's growing role has added to the competition in forward areas, putting further scrutiny on Rodrygo's position. Speaking ahead of the win over Juventus, Alonso maintained that Rodrygo has been training well but stressed it remains his decision as to who plays. 'After the game I try to approach everyone I meet along the way,' Alonso said. 'He had a few minutes [against Salzburg] that were important for him and he will be important. 'In these championships, sometimes those who start are just as important as those who come in. They can have a decisive impact, so each player has to be prepared for whatever comes their way. Everyone is in a good disposition. Alonso has stressed Rodrygo has been training well despite his lack of game time to date 'Rodrygo is training well and I see him in good spirits. Then it's my decision who plays.' Real Madrid have reportedly set an asking price of €90m (£77m) for the forward with Arsenal intensely linked. The Gunners have 'a real possibility' of completing a deal, according to Spanish outlet Cadena SER.
Daily Mirror
36 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Transfer news live as Arsenal strike Gyokeres deal and Man Utd chase midfielder
The weather might be (mercifully) cooling down today but the summer transfer window is well and truly heating up. Liverpool have already smashed the British transfer record and more big deals are in the pipeline. The biggest of them all right now would appear to be Arsenal's pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, which reports now claim is at an advanced stage. Manchester United are also chasing a striker but it seemingly won't be Gyokeres leading the line at Old Trafford. They're said to be keen on Ollie Watkins and the PSG midfielder, Fabian Ruiz. Liverpool's spending isn't done with talks over a deal for Marc Guehi expected to take place. And the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham are also expected to push for big incomings between now and the end of August. Luis Diaz is now being linked with a move to Bayern Munich. The Colombia star, 28, has held talks with the German champions' sporting director, Max Eberl, according to Bild. It remains to be seen if Diaz will depart Anfield this summer, but he continues to be linked with a transfer... One player who isn't moving anywhere is Antoine Semenyo. Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle have all courted the Ghana star this summer. But Semenyo has committed his future to Bournemouth by signing a new five-year deal. Fabian Ruiz was on Manchester United's radar back in 2022. But Footmercato claim the PSG star is once again attracting interest from the Red Devils. The 29-year-old is also being courted by Al-Nassr but has two years left to run on his current deal with the European champions. The big news, then. Sky Sports claim that Arsenal and Sporting are in advanced talks over the transfer of Viktor Gyokeres, who has already agreed a five-year deal. Arsenal fans have been wondering for weeks whether they'd move for Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko. If these latest reports are on the money, then they might finally have their answer... Good morning and welcome to our live transfer blog. There's plenty to get through, so lets get started...
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal's next move after 'agreeing' Gyokeres transfer deal with key figure
Arsenal are closing in on an agreement to land Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon whilst Mikel Arteta is also looking to raid Monaco for another summer signing Arsenal are close to reaching a verbal agreement to land Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon which could wrap up their striker search - but Mikel Arteta is already eyeing his next arrival. The Gunners have been relatively quiet this summer with no new arrivals at the Emirates, but they've been working away in the background and could land several signings. Gyokeres has been tipped to move on following a stellar year with Sporting where he scored more than 50 times. Arteta's priority this summer is to add a new No 9 and, after negotiations with Benjamin Sesko hit a roadblock, the Premier League club have diverted their attention to the prolific Swede. They are now close to reaching a verbal agreement with Gyokeres' agent Hasan Cetinkaya, according to L'Equipe. That would then leave them needing to negotiate a fee with Sporting. Alongside that, the north Londoners are eyeing Monaco's attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche. He is also on the radar of both Manchester clubs, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham. His club are resigned to losing the French U21 star. They value him at around £60m after he enjoyed an impressive year last term in Ligue 1, where he was a regular. Monaco chief Thiago Scuro has previously said on his possible exit: 'For him to go, we have expectations. I think players at his level, not so many clubs can sign him. To go or to stay, both possibilities could be good for him." It would further bolster an Arsenal attacking line that, when fit, now has real depth. But last season a raft of injuries exposed Arteta's side and this summer he wants to make additions that ensure they aren't left lacking once again. Gyokeres and Akliouche would compliment the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri. Sporting's attitude has frustrated Gyokeres this summer as they've denied there was ever a gentleman's agreement to let him leave for less than his release clause. Club president Frederico Varandas recently said: "Sporting is calm regarding this matter. Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyokeres. Fortunately, we have moved past the phase of selling our main asset. "However, we remain sensitive to Viktor's dreams or those of any other athlete. Sporting has made a commitment that, after weeks of meetings, we will not demand the full amount of the clause; we will be reasonable regarding the amount requested for Viktor."
