Arsenal are close to securing the signing of Sporting striker Viktor Gyökeres, and Jose Mourinho has now weighed in on the impending transfer, while also dismissing rumours linking the forward to Fenerbahçe.
After weeks of negotiation, Arsenal reached a breakthrough with Sporting over a €73.5 million deal, which includes a €63.5 million base fee and €10 million in performance-based add-ons. Talks had previously stalled over the bonus structure, but agreement has now been found.
With the Gunners currently on their pre-season tour of Asia, there is speculation over whether fans might see Gyökeres feature against Newcastle or Tottenham. Either way, it appears increasingly likely that the Sweden international will be seen in Arsenal colours very soon. A medical is reportedly imminent before the player links up with his new teammates.
Mourinho on Gyökeres: “A great player”
In an interview with Portuguese outlet A Bola, Jose Mourinho praised the Swedish striker but also cautioned that adapting to the Premier League will be a challenge.
“Sporting had a way of playing that was very much based on him or adapted to him,” Mourinho said. “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 former Chelsea and Tottenham boss also shut down speculation that Fenerbahçe had tried to hijack the deal.
“Unfortunately, of the 3,400 lies that have already been told about the market, it’s a lie that he’s going to Fenerbahçe, unfortunately,” he added. “So many lies, so much interest, so many people working for businessmen, for clubs, it’s a war that’s not mine.”
Gunners beat competition for top target
Arsenal reportedly fended off serious competition from Manchester United and Saudi Arabian clubs to secure Gyökeres. According to multiple sources, United were even offered the chance to hijack the transfer late on.
Despite that, the move to Arsenal was never in serious doubt. The player’s well-documented preference for North London proved decisive in closing the deal.
What do you think, Gooners? Will Gyökeres live up to the hype?
Benjamin Kenneth
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I think Gyokeres will be an upgrade and more productive than Havertz and Jesus as strikers.
Havertz and Jesus are not strikers, they just played that position assigned by Arteta.
Gyokeres is a finisher, you don’t score 97 goals (including penalties) in 102 games and not be a finisher.
20+ PL goals for Gyokeres, IF the tactics have him playing around and in the box. IF Arteta uses same tactics (Havertz / Jesus) dropping deep into midfield, being part of the buildup, not positioned in the box, then I don’t expect much difference in output and production from Gyokeres as striker.
Both Havertz and GJ are strikers. They are just not specialists as they are versatile forwards.
Any incoming player has to play in a way that fits with Arsenal’s structure and tactics.
I can’t wait to see this team play with a legitimate goal-getter. Now we MUST make the final move and get a LW in. If we do, I believe 2025 will be a season we remember for years…
Yes a proper upgrade like xavi demons in the left wing is a must else we are back to where we were, I already fear for our midfield, I’m not sure if zubimendi is as good as partey let alone better but we’ll see.
Viktor is an upgrade to all our strikers now, he will score a lot of goals, and for LW noni call feel the vaccum. 2025 is our year
The #10 jersey is still vacant, with all the numbers handed out to new signings and reassignings. If Gyokeres takes the #14, that might mean we still have one more marquee signing to make for that number this summer.