Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres in a package that could reach €73.5 million (£63.7m), with negotiations accelerating ahead of a hoped‑for completion before Monday, July 21, 2025. Talks, long complicated by Sporting’s stance on payment structure, are now understood to be at the stage where only minor points remain.
The emerging agreement is believed to be built around €63.5m guaranteed plus a further €10m in achievable add‑ons tied to performance and appearances. Final legal checks and sign‑off on instalment timing are described as the last hurdles before the player can be cleared for a medical.
Gyökeres, 26, has been on Arsenal’s radar since earlier in the window, but the club initially pursued Benjamin Šeško of RB Leipzig. With that pursuit stalling over price rigidity, Arsenal pivoted decisively toward the Swedish international, opening intensive talks a little over a week ago.
Securing Gyökeres would cap an assertive summer rebuild already featuring the surprise capture of winger Noni Madueke and the arrival of versatile defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia. Arsenal view the striker as the headline addition who can elevate their title challenge while adding depth across European and domestic fronts.
Questions persist over whether Gyökeres’ prolific output in Portugal will translate immediately to the Premier League, yet his advocates point to a skill set seemingly tailored to Mikel Arteta’s demands: powerful ball carrying, relentless pressing from the front, intelligent channel runs and a composed, two‑footed finishing profile.
Veteran coach Roy Hodgson has spoken admiringly of the forward’s qualities and believes English football would welcome his edge. Within Arsenal, there is confidence that his physicality and mentality can complement existing attacking options and unlock new tactical variants—including greater directness when matches become attritional.
From a squad‑building standpoint, a centre‑forward who can both lead the line and combine in tight spaces reduces the load on Gabriel Jesus and frees Kai Havertz for hybrid roles across midfield or the left half‑space. It also gives academy forwards clearer loan pathways rather than sporadic bench minutes. Depth has been a recurring theme in title races; Arsenal do not want to be short again.
Should the remaining details fall into place on schedule, Gyökeres could arrive in time to integrate during the latter stages of pre‑season, giving Arteta a window to test combinations before competitive fixtures begin. All indications are that Arsenal intend to move swiftly to close.
