Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer offer details emerge in stunning new claims

Arsenal have taken a major step forward in their pursuit of a prolific striker with a formal bid submitted for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, according to fresh reports emerging from Portugal. The Swedish international, who has been in sensational form, is now firmly on the radar of the North London giants as they look to solve their goalscoring conundrum.

Gyokeres, 27, produced a jaw-dropping campaign last season, netting an astonishing 54 goals in 52 appearances for Sporting across all competitions. That kind of form has made him one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe this summer, and Arsenal appear to be positioning themselves at the front of the queue.

The Gunners have long been in the market for a commanding No.9, someone capable of shouldering the goal burden that has been spread thin across Mikel Arteta’s forward line. With Gabriel Jesus suffering injury setbacks and Kai Havertz often deployed out of his natural role, the club sees Gyokeres as an ideal solution to spearhead their attack.

While Arsenal fans have grown increasingly excited about the possibility of a marquee signing up front, Sporting president Frederico Varandas recently threw cold water on speculation that Gyokeres could leave for a previously rumoured cut-price fee. “I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for 60 million euros plus 10 million in bonuses because I never promised that,” he stated emphatically during a press conference.

Varandas also confirmed that Sporting had received no offers for the striker up to that point, not even during the previous season. That stance suggested Sporting were in no hurry to sell, particularly given the importance of Gyokeres to their domestic and European ambitions.

However, the transfer landscape shifted dramatically when Portuguese outlet Maisfutebol reported that Arsenal had now submitted an official bid. According to Record, the offer tabled by the Gunners was around £47 million, with an additional £8.5 million in performance-related bonuses, potentially taking the total close to £55.5 million.

Interestingly, the bid was reportedly formalised during a high-profile meeting on the Spanish island of Menorca, where Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta was joined by a club lawyer to meet with Bernardo Palmeiro, Sporting’s director of football. The nature of the meeting and its timing suggest this is more than speculative interest—Arsenal are now actively trying to seal the deal.

Nevertheless, Sporting remain firm in their valuation. Reports indicate that the Portuguese giants are holding out for a package in the region of £68 million, meaning Arsenal’s current proposal still falls short. The club is expected to resist any approach that doesn’t meet that threshold, especially as they face no pressing need to sell.

Adding to the complexity, Manchester United have reportedly entered the fray, preparing an identical bid to Arsenal’s – £51 million plus £8.5 million in add-ons. However, even that is unlikely to sway Sporting, who have grown used to playing hardball in the transfer market when it comes to their top assets.

From Arsenal’s perspective, the pursuit of Gyokeres reflects a pressing need to address a weakness that has undermined their title aspirations. Despite scoring the third-most goals in the Premier League last season (69), no single player managed to hit double figures in the league. This lack of a consistent goal threat proved costly in the latter stages of the campaign.

Arteta has made it clear that upgrading the forward line is one of the club’s top priorities this summer. While Gyokeres remains the leading target, other names like Benjamin Sesko have also been discussed internally. However, Sesko has reportedly committed his future to RB Leipzig, making the Swedish star a more realistic target.

Sporting, meanwhile, are still hopeful of retaining Gyokeres. Speaking last month, club vice-president Francisco Salgado Zenha stressed that the player is under contract for another three years and no offers had been received. He added that Sporting, having just reclaimed the league title, are aiming to retain their best players to mount a strong defense of their crown.

“We want to continue being champions, have competitive teams and fight on all fronts,” Zenha said. “Just because we’ve received offers doesn’t mean we’re going to sell. We’ve had seasons where we made fewer sales and still succeeded.”

Arsenal will now need to consider whether to return with an improved offer or risk losing out to a rival suitor. With Manchester United reportedly ready to push hard, the North Londoners cannot afford to drag their feet if they truly believe Gyokeres is the striker to transform their front line.

The Gunners’ current recruitment strategy has been praised for its forward-thinking and aggressive nature, and the appointment of Andrea Berta appears to have brought fresh energy into the club’s transfer dealings. The Gyokeres bid is just the latest sign that Arsenal mean business this summer.

However, a resolution may not be immediate. Sporting’s firm stance and Gyokeres’ contractual situation mean this could evolve into a protracted saga. Arsenal fans, eager for a headline signing to kick-start their summer, will be watching closely as negotiations continue behind the scenes.

For now, the ball is in Arsenal’s court. Whether they return with a bid that matches Sporting’s expectations could determine not just the future of Viktor Gyokeres, but the trajectory of Arsenal’s 2025/26 season.

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