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Arsenal are said to be closing in on a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.

Arsenal are still working on a deal to sign a new striker after weeks of talks over Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres. The Gunners began the summer looking as though they would prioritise a deal for Benjamin Sesko, but after being hit with a big asking price from Rb Leipzig, they pivoted to Gyokeres.

That deal hasn’t been easy to strike, either, with Sporting taking a tough stance as they look to change the perception that they are a selling club. Sporting chief Federico Varandas has taken a firm stance in negotiations, even referencing Arsenal’s spending along the way.Varandas made it clear that he was not going to give Arsenal a discount weeks after they decided to spend more than £50million to sign Martin Zubimendi, and even Gunners fans would struggle to argue with that logic. Football is a dog eat dog world, and ultimately Varandas has a duty to his club to get the best deal.

To his credit, the Sporting chief has even held strong despite pressure from Gyokeres himself, who has not been turning up to pre-season training. But talks have continued, and it seems a compromise has been found, with Arsenal now reaching a breakthrough in talks.

Portuguese outlet Record have reported that Arsenal have agreed a deal worth £55million upfront and £8.6million in bonuses, while Gyokeres’ agent has given up his commission from Sporting. Though, he will receive his commission from Arsenal as part of the deal.

The report claims a deal was struck on Tuesday, leading to Arsenal submitting the formal offer at 10.13pm on Tuesday night. As explained by SportWitness, Sporting are now working on paperwork, while a medical can take place in the meantime, though the striker is said to be in Mallorca. He is likely to take to the air shortly to get a medical done.

In terms of the bonuses that Arsenal and Sporting were struggling to agree on, the report from Record adds: “The €10m remains ‘attainable,’ but now for a longer period, the full duration of the contract. These objectives are related to the club’s individual and collective performance, in some cases combined—that is, titles or Champions League qualification only count if the player participates at least partially.”

Gyokeres praise

Arsenal legend Alan Smith has praised the likely signing of Gyokeres. He said: “[Signing Gyokeres] would be the icing on the cake for Arsenal. The missing piece of the jigsaw. This is the signing every Arsenal fan has been craving. An out-and-out number 9 and someone who can get Arsenal over the line for the title.

“You saw last season when Arsenal had a striker crisis, that they struggled to score goals and dropped well behind Liverpool. Gyokeres, if he signs, will mean Arsenal can play a different style at times and get the ball forward quickly, rather than the build-up they have been doing. He gives a different dimension to their style, which can cause teams lots of problems. The fans would be ecstatic and competing in the Premier League and Champions League, having Gyokeres will give Arsenal the boost they need.”

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