Arsenal are on the verge of completing the transfer of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting, with the club aiming to finalise the deal before their upcoming Asian tour. The transfer has involved extensive negotiations between Arsenal, Sporting, Gyokeres, and the player’s agents, with the main obstacle being the agreement on bonus payments and the overall payment structure.
Initially, Arsenal put forward an offer of €63.5 million plus €10 million in potential bonuses. However, Sporting rejected this, insisting on the full €10 million tied to realistic and achievable performance objectives. Arsenal’s first proposal included only €3 million in easily attainable bonuses, which Sporting swiftly dismissed. After further discussions, Arsenal increased their offer to include up to €7 million in bonuses, yet Sporting’s management, led by Frederico Varandas, remain firm in their demand for the full €10 million. This insistence reflects Sporting’s determination to secure the total €80 million valuation they have placed on the striker.
A notable development in the negotiations is the agent’s decision to waive his commission, which is reportedly around €7 million, to smooth the transfer process. Despite this concession, talks nearly collapsed due to the disagreements over the bonus terms and payment conditions.
Beyond the headline transfer fee and bonuses, the deal also involves discussions about the payment schedule and solidarity payments, which are often overlooked in high-profile transfers. Solidarity payments, or training compensation, are fees owed to the clubs where the player was developed during his youth career. Typically, the purchasing club is responsible for covering these costs. However, Sporting is pushing for a 50/50 split of these payments with Arsenal, adding another layer to the ongoing negotiations.
When it comes to payment timing, Arsenal prefers to spread the total amount over four installments to manage their cash flow better. Sporting, on the other hand, favors a more compressed schedule with just two installments, seeking quicker access to the funds.
With Arsenal’s Asian tour set to begin shortly, including matches against AC Milan, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur, the club is keen to have Gyokeres integrated into the squad as soon as possible. The player’s availability for the tour may well hinge on how swiftly the two clubs can reach a final agreement on these outstanding financial details.
The saga underscores the complexity behind modern football transfers, where player valuations, agent fees, bonus structures, and payment schedules all play crucial roles in shaping the final deal. Arsenal’s persistence in securing Gyokeres reflects their commitment to strengthening their attacking options ahead of the new season.
