“I haven’t done such to anybody before but Arteta does this to everyone…The FA should do something about it urgently”: Pep Guardiola angered by Arsenal over an agreement to sign his major transfer target as he urged FA to look into the matter urgently
Arsenal has made substantial progress in their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, a 26-year-old striker from Sporting CP, as manager Mikel Arteta seeks to bolster the team’s attacking lineup. Gyokeres had an exceptional season in the Portuguese league, featuring in 33 matches, scoring 29 goals, and providing nine assists, which helped Sporting CP secure the Primeira Liga title. This performance has drawn significant interest from Arsenal, who have been tracking the player since March.
Despite Arsenal’s eagerness to sign Gyokeres, his substantial release clause of €100 million (£84 million) poses a significant hurdle. However, recent developments indicate that Sporting CP might be more willing to negotiate. The club paid Coventry City €1 million (£843,000) to reduce the sell-on clause in Gyokeres’ contract by five percent. Initially, Coventry City was entitled to 15 percent of any profit from a future sale of Gyokeres, but this reduction means Sporting CP now retains a larger portion of any transfer fee, potentially easing negotiations with Arsenal.
Coventry City has already benefited from the initial €20 million (£17.5 million) transfer fee for Gyokeres in 2023, receiving over £2.5 million in additional payments. With the new arrangement, Sporting CP might lower their asking price, making it more feasible for clubs like Arsenal to secure the striker.
Ahead of a pre-season friendly against Liverpool, Arteta discussed Arsenal’s transfer plans, emphasizing their preparedness to react to market movements and improve the squad. While Arteta expressed contentment with the current team, he remains open to further enhancements if opportunities arise. He also noted that a big-money signing similar to last season’s acquisition of Declan Rice is unlikely this year.
