Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth up to €73.5 million.
The 27-year-old forward, who scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 games for the Portuguese side, has agreed to a five-year contract with the Gunners. He will join Mikel Arteta’s squad during their pre-season tour of Asia.
Gyokeres will wear the iconic number 14 jersey, once made famous by club legend Thierry Henry. Arsenal will reportedly pay Sporting an initial €63.5 million, with an additional €10 million based on performance-related add-ons.
Announcing the signing, Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta expressed delight at securing the prolific striker. “We are so pleased with the excellent deal we have completed to bring Viktor Gyokeres to the club. Viktor is an exceptional talent and has consistently demonstrated he has the qualities and winning mentality required of a top-level centre-forward. His physicality, intelligence and work ethic make him a perfect fit for our vision.”
Manager Mikel Arteta also praised the new addition to his squad, saying, “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Viktor Gyokeres to the club. The consistency he has shown in his performances and availability have been outstanding, and his goal contributions speak for themselves.”
The transfer reportedly faced delays due to disagreements between the two clubs over bonus structures. Sporting wanted performance-based add-ons, while Arsenal preferred more challenging targets. There was also tension as Gyokeres skipped pre-season training to push for the move.
Initially, Arsenal had shown interest in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko but turned their focus to Gyokeres after talks failed to progress.
The Swedish international has scored 15 goals in 26 appearances for his national team since making his debut in 2019. His most recent club season saw him net 54 goals in 52 games, making him one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers.
