Arsenal appear to have finally reached the long-awaited breakthrough in their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyökeres, after several intense weeks of negotiations. Multiple reports confirm that the Gunners are closing in on a full agreement, with the Swedish striker set to become the club’s most expensive forward in recent history.
The deal, which is expected to be finalized in the coming days, includes a fixed transfer fee of £55 million (€63.5m), along with £8.7 million (€10m) in performance-based add-ons, taking the total package to just under £64 million. The 27-year-old will reportedly be handed the iconic No. 14 shirt at Arsenal — once worn by Thierry Henry, the club’s greatest-ever player — underlining the faith Mikel Arteta and the board have in his potential.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, sources close to the negotiations confirm that only minor details regarding the add-on structure remain before the deal can be signed and sealed. A medical is expected to take place within the next 48 hours, after which Gyökeres will link up with the Arsenal squad for their pre-season tour in Asia.
The striker has already made clear his desire to join the North London club, having informed Sporting earlier this month of his intention to make the switch. Since joining the Portuguese giants from Coventry City in 2023, Gyökeres has been nothing short of sensational, registering 97 goals in just 102 appearances across all competitions.
Last season alone, he scored a staggering 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting, leading them to a domestic league and cup double. He also found the net six times in just eight UEFA Champions League outings, showcasing his ability to perform against Europe’s elite — something Arsenal have been desperate to add to their front line.
Arsenal’s current striker options — Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz — have both shown flashes of brilliance but lacked the clinical edge required to consistently lead the line in a title-contending team. The addition of Gyökeres could provide the Gunners with a true No. 9 capable of finishing chances, holding up play, and leading the press from the front.
At 27, Gyökeres is entering the prime years of his career and brings with him a unique blend of power, technical ability, and relentless energy. His physicality and direct style are expected to complement Arsenal’s attacking midfielders, particularly Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka, while offering a more traditional focal point for Arteta’s possession-heavy system.
Ben Jacobs, a journalist closely tracking the transfer, confirmed that the final stages of the deal were about solidarity payments and the structure of installments — with Sporting president Frederico Varandas finally softening his position after several weeks of back-and-forth discussions.
Gyökeres’ move to Arsenal will also be symbolic in many ways. Wearing the No. 14 shirt brings with it the weight of expectation and a legacy to uphold, with Henry having defined a golden era for the Gunners. But it also signals the club’s belief that this signing could usher in a new chapter — one capable of breaking their 21-year Premier League title drought.
The next steps will involve completing his medical, finalizing the paperwork, and arranging logistics for Gyökeres to join the squad abroad. He is expected to feature in pre-season fixtures against AC Milan, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur, giving fans an early glimpse into what he brings to the table.
With this signing, Arsenal are making a strong statement of intent ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. In a transfer window filled with speculation and setbacks, they’ve finally landed a striker capable of leading their line — and perhaps, their long-overdue title charge
