Will the Viktor Gyokeres Deal Collapse For Arsenal?

Just when it seemed like Arsenal were about to wrap up their biggest signing of the summer, things have suddenly taken a complicated turn. The long-awaited deal for Sporting Lisbon Striker Viktor Gyökeres is now in doubt. The Gunners had reportedly agreed to pay £63.5 million for the Swedish forward, a figure that, for a while, felt like the final hurdle in what has been a tense negotiation.

Football transfers are rarely simple like that, and this one is no different. As the days go by, it is becoming clear that a disagreement over bonus clauses might throw the whole move into jeopardy. Sporting are holding firm on their demands for additional payments that could take the total deal closer to £72 million. Arsenal is pushing back on the structure and conditions attached to those bonuses.

Bonus Clause Breakdown Causing Friction

The main reason is a difference in how each club views the add-ons. Sporting are insisting on £8.7 million in performance-related bonuses, but they want most of those to be as close to guaranteed as possible. That’s proving to be a real sticking point. Arsenal, being understandably cautious, are pushing for more realistic and achievement-based clauses. Things like Champions League qualification or goal targets, rather than blanket payments just for signing the player.

The standoff has caused the deal, once thought to be a formality, to stall. Sporting’s President, Frederico Varandas, is not budging. From their side, they feel the offer undervalues a player who scored a ridiculous 54 goals in 52 appearances last season while helping them secure both the league title and the domestic cup. Arsenal believes they have already offered a fair package, £63.5 million upfront is no small fee, and they are growing increasingly frustrated by the shifting goalposts.

Pressure Mounting As Gyökeres Skips Training

What’s made this saga even more intense is Gyökeres himself. The 27-year-old is set on joining Arsenal. He’s agreed on personal terms on a five-year deal and has failed to report for Sporting’s pre-season training in the Algarve last Saturday.

That absence hasn’t gone unnoticed. Sporting have confirmed that the striker is facing disciplinary action for not turning up, and Varandas has gone on record to say that no player is above the club. Behind closed doors, it’s believed that Gyökeres has already told those close to him that he wants to move to London, and the delay is reportedly testing his patience.

From Arsenal’s point of view, the timing couldn’t be worse. They hoped to finalize the transfer in time for the Swede to join their preseason tour of Asia later this week. The club’s transfer team even flew out to Portugal recently to try and seal the deal in person. But according to multiple reports, they came back empty-handed. The atmosphere between the two clubs has cooled considerably.

There is now a growing feeling that Arsenal could walk away from the deal if there isn’t a breakthrough soon. They’ve done it with players when talks drag on and valuations spiral. With the transfer window moving quickly and preseason already underway, Mikel Arteta doesn’t want to be left scrambling for options if this deal drags into August.

Final Thoughts

Both clubs have made their positions clear, and unless someone agrees, the whole thing could collapse in a matter of days. Sporting is banking on Arsenal eventually giving in. There’s also a suggestion from Portuguese sources that Varandas might even be hoping for a late bid from another club to raise the pressure.

Arsenal is known for playing hardball, too. With the emergence of other forward targets like Benjamin Sesko from Leipzig, things could swiftly shift focus. That said, Arsenal know how perfect a fit Gyökeres is for their system. He is tall, powerful, relentless in pressing, and lethal in front of the goal.

You can see why Arteta wants him, and the player himself wants the move. It’s now a waiting game that’s frustrating for everyone involved, especially with the new season starting in a few weeks. One way or another, something has to give soon. Whether it’s Sporting softening their stance on bonuses or Arsenal upping their offer slightly to get it over the line, this deal could still go either way.