Arsenal and Manchester United Eye Viktor Gyokeres as Sporting Lisbon Considers Flexible Deal

Both Arsenal and Manchester United have received encouraging news in their pursuit of striker Viktor Gyokeres, as Sporting Lisbon shows willingness to accept a deal that includes additional bonuses, potentially easing the transfer process.

Sporting Lisbon has been valuing Gyokeres at around €80 million (£69 million), a fee based on his impressive scoring record over the past two seasons, where he netted 97 goals in 102 matches. However, the Portuguese club appears open to a payment structure that includes achievable add-ons, which could lower the initial payment component of the deal.

According to sources, Sporting is now prepared to accept an upfront fee of approximately €70 million (£60.5 million), complemented by €10 million (£8.5 million) in bonuses linked to performance benchmarks. This shift indicates a compromise aimed at securing the transfer without demanding the full €80 million in a single payment.

Gyokeres is expected to report for pre-season training at Sporting’s Cristiano Ronaldo Academy base, despite previous reports suggesting he might skip this to protest an unfulfilled promise regarding his sale. His agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, claims Gyokeres received verbal assurances from Sporting’s former sporting director, Hugo Viana, that he could leave this summer for between €60 million (£52 million) and €70 million (£60.5 million).

Gyokeres, who joined Sporting from Coventry City in July 2023 for an initial €20 million (£17 million), is under contract until June 2028. Interest from the Premier League remains strong, with Arsenal having previously shown interest with a bid of €55 million plus €10 million in add-ons, and United monitoring the situation as well.

Both clubs see Gyokeres as a key addition to their attack, with his potential move still progressing amid ongoing negotiations and interest from other teams.