Viktor Gyokeres Sacrifices £1.7M, Ends Lisbon Ties to Seal £70m Arsenal Transfer Dream

Viktor Gyokeres Pushes for Arsenal Move with Salary Sacrifice

[Image: Gyokeres in Sporting Lisbon kit, celebrating a goal]

Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres is reportedly ready to sacrifice €2 million (£1.73m) in future wages to secure his £70 million move to Arsenal. The 27-year-old Sporting Lisbon star has prioritized a transfer to the Gunners, agreeing to a five-year contract despite interest from Manchester United and other clubs.

Deal Structure Progress
Arsenal’s latest bid stands at €65m (£56.2m) upfront, with €15m (£13m) in add-ons. Discussions over achievable bonuses are ongoing, but Gyokeres’ determination to join Mikel Arteta’s project has driven negotiations forward. The striker’s willingness to reduce his salary directly aids Arsenal in meeting Sporting’s valuation.

[Image: Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium packed with fans]

Sesko Fallback, Gyokeres Focus
Initially, Arsenal targeted RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, but stalled talks shifted attention back to Gyokeres. The Swede’s stellar form—97 goals in 102 games over two seasons—cemented him as Arteta’s top choice. He rejected lucrative offers from Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah, emphasizing his Premier League ambitions.

Personal Life: Cutting Ties with Portugal
Reports suggest Gyokeres recently split with Portuguese actress Ines Aguiar to sever personal ties to Lisbon. The pair reportedly ended their relationship before his Greek holiday, with Aguiar vacationing separately in Spain. A source claimed Gyokeres wanted “nothing to tie him to Portugal” ahead of his Arsenal move.

[Image: Gyokeres training with Sporting Lisbon teammates]

Rejecting Rivals
Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim sought a reunion with Gyokeres but was told the striker only wants Arsenal. Juventus also missed out, while Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins briefly featured on the Gunners’ shortlist. Sporting initially demanded €100m (£86m), but Gyokeres’ push and Arsenal’s persistence softened their stance.

Career Trajectory
Gyokeres began his English career at Brighton in 2018 but struggled for minutes, scoring once in eight appearances. Loans at St Pauli and Swansea preceded a breakout spell at Coventry City (43 goals in 2.5 seasons). His €24m (£20.7m) move to Sporting in 2023 elevated his profile, and he now eyes a Premier League return.

[Image: Gyokeres celebrating a goal for Coventry City]

Silencing Critics
Sporting president Frederico Varandas accused Gyokeres of “blackmails and insults” amid transfer tensions earlier this summer, but the striker’s compromise has eased the standoff. Arsenal aims to finalize the deal before their pre-season Asia tour begins on July 19.

The Final Hurdle
With personal terms settled, only minor details remain between the clubs. Gyokeres’ eagerness mirrors Arsenal’s urgency to bolster their attack after a near-miss in the 2023/24 title race. If completed, the transfer would signal the Gunners’ intent to challenge for major trophies under Arteta.

[Image: Arteta coaching during an Arsenal match]

In Summary

• Gyokeres sacrifices salary to push through £70m Arsenal move.
• Deal structure: €65m upfront, €15m add-ons.
• Rejects Man Utd, Juventus; splits with girlfriend to leave Portugal.
• Career rebirth at Coventry and Sporting leads to Premier League return.

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