Arsenal are closing in on the signing of prolific Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, with only final details around add-ons delaying the official confirmation of the deal.
The Gunners have had an agreement in place with the Sweden international for a five-year contract, but talks between the two clubs over performance-related bonuses have caused a brief hold-up. The £63.5 million move was expected to be finalised ahead of Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia, which kicks off this Sunday.
Gyokeres, 27, has become one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards after a sensational 2024/25 campaign in which he netted 54 goals in 52 appearances, helping Sporting clinch their second consecutive Primeira Liga title. His form has not gone unnoticed, especially at Arsenal, who shifted their focus to the Swede after their pursuit of RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko stalled earlier in the window.
With manager Mikel Arteta keen to bolster his attacking firepower, the addition of Gyokeres comes after Arsenal sealed a move for England winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea last week. Arteta’s need for a reliable centre-forward is no secret, especially after his side ended the Premier League season 10 points adrift of Liverpool, despite pushing for the title for much of the campaign.
Gyokeres, who previously impressed during his time in England with Brighton and later Coventry City, has shown steady progression. He scored 43 goals in 116 appearances for the Sky Blues and was named in the 2022-23 Championship Team of the Season after helping Coventry reach the play-off final.
Since making the switch to Lisbon in the summer of 2023 for around £20 million, Gyokeres has taken his game to another level. His 39-goal haul in the 2024-25 Primeira Liga campaign was unmatched, with no other player reaching the 20-goal mark.
But it’s not just his goal tally that makes him stand out. His style of play – a combination of physical presence, clever positioning, and tireless running – makes him a nightmare for defenders. With a shot conversion rate of 28.4%, comparable to Erling Haaland’s peak numbers at Manchester City, Gyokeres brings clinical efficiency to the table.
According to Opta, he averaged 1.42 goal contributions and created over two chances per game last season – impressive numbers that highlight his role as both finisher and creator.
With 15 goals in 26 appearances for Sweden, Gyokeres now looks set to take the next big step in his career. Arsenal’s wait for a top-class No. 9 may finally be over – and if the numbers are anything to go by, they might just have secured a game-changer.