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Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres denied dream Arsenal shirt number but second-choice still available
Viktor Gyokeres is finally set to join Arsenal after the Gunners made a breakthrough in negotiations with Sporting Lisbon, agreeing to pay a total £63.7million after haggling over add-ons Arsenal won't be able to hand Viktor Gyokeres his dream shirt number when the Swedish striker completes his £63.7million move to the Emirates. Gyokeres, 27, has been determined to join the Gunners throughout the summer transfer window and is on the verge of getting his wish. Personal terms have long been agreed but the finer details of the agreement between Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon took weeks to finalise. The Portuguese giants champions, who Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 games far, were haggling over the nature of the add-ons which made up part of Arsenal's bid. The Guardian report that Mikel Arteta's side made a late-night breakthrough on Tuesday, with the Gunners boss having been forced to bat away questions about the former Coventry City star in the first few days of their pre-season tour of Asia. Following Wednesday's 1-0 win against AC Milan in Singapore, Arteta reiterated: "You know that I am not going to play against any player that is not with us yet." The Arsenal manager's comments reflect what he said on Monday after his squad landed in Asia. "I cannot comment on any player who is not part of our group yet," he told reporters. "When we have something concrete to offer in any case to any player we will do that." But Arteta is set to change his tune once Gyokeres completes his medical and puts pen to paper on a five-year contract. The Sweden international will hope to take his prolific form from the Primeira Liga to the Premier League - but he won't have the same number on his back. Gyokeres has worn the No.9 shirt since he joined Sporting from Coventry in 2023. That number at Arsenal belongs to Gabriel Jesus, who until a long-term injury was linked with a move away this summer. During his two full seasons at Coventry, Gyokeres wore the No.17 shirt. That's currently taken by Oleksandr Zinchenko, who's also been tipped to leave north London. Interestingly, though, the No.10 shirt remains vacant. Emile Smith Rowe's departure last summer gives the 27-year-old the chance to inherit a prestigious shirt number worn by Paul Merson, Dennis Bergkamp, Robin van Persie and Mesut Ozil. Another iconic number which is available is the No.14, most famously worn by Thierry Henry. Other Arsenal greats to wear the shirt include Martin Keown, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alan Smith, Ray Parlour and Kevin Campbell. Gyokeres has only worn the No.10 shirt at youth level while his other numbers after turning professional have been 12, 14, 42 and 9. Other vacant numbers at Arsenal include 10, 14, 25, 26, 34 and 35. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres transfer 'lie' shut down by Jose Mourinho as he gives Arsenal verdict
Arsenal are close to completing a blockbuster deal for Sweden and Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, with former Premier League manager Jose Mourinho offering his verdict on the transfer Jose Mourinho has lavished praise on Viktor Gyokeres ahead of his imminent switch to Arsenal. The Gunners are on the verge of landing the superstar Swede as they near a £63.5million agreement with Sporting CP. It's understood that £55m of that fee will be paid up front, with a further £8.5m agreed in add-ons. While Arsenal chiefs worked to seal the move, Sporting reportedly continued to receive enquiries from other interested parties. Manchester United were among the clubs showing interest, as were sides in the Saudi Pro League. However, Gyokeres had one clear preference: to sign for Arsenal. Once everything is finalised, Gyokeres will complete a medical assessment before linking up with the first team squad, who are currently in Singapore on the first leg of their pre-season tour of Asia. The 27-year-old, who scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting, is one of the most sought-after forwards in the world, and it looks like Arsenal have won the race of this signature. In an interview with Portuguese outlet A Bola this week, Mourinho was asked for his opinion on Gyokeres' impending move to the Emirates Stadium. The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager set aside club rivalries to commend the Arsenal-bound goalscorer, calling him "a great player". However, he also suggested that Gyokeres might find things a little tougher in the Premier League than in Portugal's Primeira Liga, particularly since Arsenal won't necessarily be building their team around him like Sporting did. "Sporting had a way of playing that was very much based on him or adapted to him," Mourinho added. "I don't know what [former Sporting boss] Ruben Amorim's initial thinking was. But he's a player with great potential, and it's clear that in England he'll play against stronger teams and better players." The Special One, now managing Turkish giants Fenerbahce, took the opportunity to playfully dismiss rumours linking his team with Gyokeres, confirming that no such signing was ever on the cards. "Unfortunately, of the 3,400 lies that have already been told about the market, it's a lie that he's going to Fenerbahce, unfortunately," he said. "So many lies, so much interest, so many people working for businessmen, for clubs, it's a war that's not mine." After five trophyless years and a third consecutive second-place finish in the Premier League, Arsenal are making a significant push in the transfer market to finally turn their fortunes around. Once Gyokeres completes his move, the club's summer spending will surge past the £180million mark – and is expected to approach £200m once the signing of defender Cristhian Mosquera, who has flown to Asia to join the squad, is officially confirmed. Arsenal have already strengthened both in quality and depth. Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard have been brought in to bolster the midfield, while Noni Madueke adds another option on the wings. Kepa Arrizabalaga has also arrived to provide backup for first-choice goalkeeper David Raya. Norgaard made his Arsenal debut in the club's pre-season opener against AC Milan on Wednesday, lining up in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Ethan Nwaneri. Zubimendi and Arrizabalaga were named among the substitutes. Madueke, meanwhile, did not travel to Asia, having been granted rest following his involvement with Chelsea at the Club World Cup. He is expected to join the squad when they return to the UK next month. Following their clash with Milan, Arsenal will take on Newcastle on July 27 and Tottenham on July 31 before returning to London. They will then host Villarreal at the Emirates on August 6, and conclude their pre-season preparations with a match against Athletic Club at the same venue three days later.
Metro
a day ago
- Sport
- Metro
Arsenal hero makes confident goals prediction for 'machine' Viktor Gyokeres
Former Arsenal star Anders Limpar is very confident that Viktor Gyokeres is going to be a big hit with the Gunners. The lengthy pursuit of the Swede is nearly at an end, with a deal to bring him to north London from Sporting on the verge of completion. While the transfer saga has taken some twists and turns, reports emerged on Tuesday suggesting that a deal was imminent, much to the delight of one of his soon-to-be new teammates. Arsenal will fork out €63.5million (£54.8m), plus €10m (£8.6m) in add-ons for the 27-year-old, hoping that the former Coventry star will help them make the final jump to claiming the Premier League title. Limpar reckons he might just do that, rating his fellow Swede extremely highly, both on and off the field. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. The 59-year-old, who played for Arsenal from 1990-94 and won the First Division title in '91, reckons Gyokeres is going to grab 25 goals in his first season, which Gunners fans would surely be happy with. 'I know that pretty much all the Arsenal players are top professionals,' Limpar told fotbolldirekt. 'I've been to the training ground, spoken to Arteta. He's Mr. 100 percent professional. 'And that's what you get from Viktor. He's such a prospect when it comes to looking after himself, no scandals, he is a hell of a player. 'He's a No. 9, and can sniff a goal chance. He's going to be the perfect icing on the cake at Arsenal. 'And I don't have to look down on [Kai] Havertz, or [Gabriel] Jesus, but bringing in Viktor at this moment, at his best age and form. 'He's a goalscoring machine and with all the supply from the wings and from Odegaard, he's going to score 25 goals.' 2023/24Apps: 50Goals: 43 Titles: Primeira Liga, Primeira Liga top scorer 2024/25Apps: 52Goals: 54 Titles: Primeira Liga, Taca de Portugal, Primeira Liga top scorer Gyokeres enjoyed a wildly successful time in Portugal, scoring 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting over two seasons. This came after impressing for Coventry in the Championship, where he scored 21 goals in 46 league games in his final season with the club. He also spent time with Brighton and Swansea, but has not made a Premier League appearance in his career yet. Limpar is well placed to comment on Gyokeres as he worked with him early in his career at Swedish club Brommapojkarna. Speaking last year, the former Gunners star said: 'I know Gyokeres very well personally. I was a bit of a mentor for him when he played for Brommapojkarna. More Trending 'So, I've talked a lot about professional life with him. He's a fantastically hardworking forward who scores a lot of goals. 'If we at Arsenal buy Gyokeres, then he will definitely call me. But to see Gyokeres at Arsenal – that would be crazy. 'His work rate, he runs like a madman. When it doesn't work out Viktor, he works his way into the game with uncomfortable runs. 'When other top forwards aren't doing well, they don't work so hard for the team, they save their energy. Viktor never saves his energy. When things are a bit slow, he works his way into a game with runs – that's why it has gone so well.' MORE: Marc Cucurella weighs in on 'missed opportunity' of Noni Madueke's Arsenal move MORE: Arsenal vs AC Milan LIVE: Pre-season friendly latest score and goal updates MORE: Martin Zubimendi reflects on Liverpool snub and decision to join Arsenal
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd sent 15-word message in immediate transfer blow after Bryan Mbeumo deal
Manchester United have been linked with a move for Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand, but a team-mate's comment has indicated that Ruben Amorim's Red Devils may struggle to land their target Manchester United face a fight to secure the signature of Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand. The Red Devils have just wrapped up a deal for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, shelling out an initial £65million plus £6m in potential add-ons. Mbeumo joins Ruben Amorim's squad alongside fellow newcomer Matheus Cunha, but United could still make plenty of moves before the transfer window shuts. The club have been linked with Sporting skipper Hjulmand, who Amorim has previously worked with during his time at the Portuguese club. It has already been a busy summer for Sporting, having been locked in transfer discussions over star striker Viktor Gyokeres. However, one of Hjulmand's team-mates is not expecting the holding midfielder to also head for the exit this summer. Following Sporting's recent pre-season win over Sunderland, defender Ivan Fresneda was quizzed about the possibility of Hjulmand leaving. "Hjulmand is our captain and he's very happy here with us, I have no doubt," Fresneda bluntly told O Jogo. According to Teamtalk, United have earmarked Hjulmand as a potential solution to strengthen their midfield, with Amorim keen on a reunion with the Denmark international. The 26-year-old joined Sporting after current United midfielder Manuel Ugarte joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. He featured in 47 matches across all competitions as Sporting clinched both the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal last term. The report indicates that Hjulmand, who has also caught the eye of Juventus, could set United back as much as £52m. Portuguese publication A Bola claims the midfielder also possesses a release clause worth approximately £69m (€80m). Following Hjulmand's debut campaign at Sporting, Amorim appointed him as the club's new skipper. Yet the Dane was open about his emotions after the manager agreed to join United in November 2024. "I told him in front of the other players that we were disappointed with his departure," Hjulmand told A Bola. "We were counting on him to help us all fight for the second title. "He himself said the same thing at the start of the season. But afterwards, I also told Ruben that we understood his decision." He added: "Many players wanted to stay at Sporting with Ruben Amorim because he is a great coach." The admiration is mutual as Amorim previously branded Hjulmand as the most "complete" midfielder he had coached at Sporting. When comparing Hjulmand to his Sporting predecessors Manuel Ugarte and Joao Palhinha, the United manager was effusive in his praise. "It's a normal evolution and then there's also the merit of scouting," Amorim said. "I love Palhinha and Ugarte, but I would say that Hjulmand is the most complete player in his position." The defensive midfielder made 65 appearances under Amorim, clinching the Primeira Liga title together in 2024. Hjulmand still has three years left on his Sporting contract.
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
What channel is Sporting Lisbon vs Celtic? Live stream, TV and team news
Celtic bring the curtain down on their week-long training camp in Portugal with a glamour friendly against Sporting Lisbon. The Hoops checked into Faro on Tuesday after spending the last few days sweating it out in the Lisbon heat. Celts were given a testing runout against Primeira Liga opposition on Saturday as they fell to a 3-2 defeat against Estrela Da Amadora. That one was behind closed doors at the Benfica Campus, but there will be a big crowd for the final leg of the tour on Wednesday night as the champions of Scotland and Portugal go head-to-head in the Algarve. Brendan Rodgers will use the warm-up fixture to cast another eye on his new signings, plus some of the club's up-and-coming youngsters, as the Premiership opener against St Mirren quickly approaches. Here, Record Sport tells you everything you need to know. When is Sporting Lisbon vs Celtic? Sporting Lisbon face Celtic at the Estádio do Algarve on Wednesday, July 16. Kick-off is at 6:30pm. Is Sporting Lisbon vs Celtic on TV? Unfortunately, the game will not be screened by any TV broadcaster. Can I live stream Sporting Lisbon vs Celtic? However, you can stream the game live on Celtic TV. You can subscribe to the club's official channel from £50 per year. As things stand, there is no pay-per-view option. Where else can I follow Sporting Lisbon vs Celtic? You can keep up with all the action from the Algarve right here on Record Sport will be running a live blog with all the pre-match build-up and team news, and every kick of the ball once the clash gets underway. After the game, we'll have all the reaction from managers and players, as well as player ratings, talking points and plenty more. Team news Kasper Schmeichel could make his first appearance of pre-season after being handed an extra few days off. Kieran Tierney will get more minutes in the legs after making his second Celtic bow at the weekend. But Kwon and Luis Palma remain out of the picture after being deemed surplus to requirements.
