Arsenal Complete The Long-Awaited Deal For Viktor Gyökeres

Viktor Gyökeres, a Swedish striker, has officially joined Arsenal from Sporting CP for a total of €63.5 million (£55 million) plus €10 million (£8.7 million) in add-ons. The 27-year-old became the Gunners’ sixth summer transfer window addition when he agreed to a five-year deal.

Under manager Mikel Arteta, Gyökeres is anticipated to support Arsenal’s offense. Gyökeres scored an outstanding 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting, including 54 goals in 52 games the previous season.

Negotiations over add-on fees caused the contract to be delayed, but a compromise was reached that allowed Gyökeres to travel to Asia for Arsenal’s preseason tour and have a medical. He will wearing the recognizable No. 14 shirt that Thierry Henry formerly wore.

Gyökeres’ clinical finishing, muscular presence, and deft movement have been hailed by Arteta and sports director Andrea Berta, who expect he will improve Arsenal’s title quest after the team finished second in the Premier League the previous season.

Gyökeres’ purchase resolves Arsenal’s long-running transfer drama and meets their urgent need for a productive No. 9. With injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus revealing a lack of depth in the striker position, the Gunners finished second in the Premier League for the third straight season in 2024–25, scoring 17 less goals than champions Liverpool.

After failing to sign Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig, whose high valuation and new contract hindered negotiations, Arteta had made Gyökeres the club’s top target. Gyökeres’ consistent goal-scoring performance—97 goals in 102 games for Sporting, including 54 goals in 52 matches last season—made him the ideal candidate to bolster Arsenal’s attack.

The Sweden international’s versatility, physicality, and clinical finishing have been widely praised. His 39 league goals in the 2024-25 Primeira Liga season outstripped any other player in Europe’s top eight divisions, and his hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League showcased his ability to perform on the biggest stages.

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Former Coventry City teammate Matty Godden described him as a “physical machine,” capable of running through defenders, while his ability to make progressive carries and exploit spaces in behind has drawn comparisons to elite strikers like Erling Haaland. However, analysts note that Gyökeres may need to adapt to Arsenal’s patient, possession-based style, as he thrived in Sporting’s more direct system, and his lack of headed goals could be a limitation in the Premier League.

The deal faced delays due to complex negotiations over add-on payments. Sporting CP, known for their tough stance in transfer talks, initially demanded a fixed fee of €70 million (£60.4 million), while Arsenal’s earlier offer of €60 million plus €10 million in add-ons fell short.

Sporting president Frederico Varandas insisted on achievable bonuses tied to appearances, goals, assists, and Champions League qualification, whereas Arsenal preferred more challenging conditions.