Sporting Lisbon have told Arsenal they want €70m (£60.2m) plus €10m in add-ons for Viktor Gyökeres, after rejecting an initial approach worth €65m plus €15m. The clubs are now in constructive dialogue and close to concluding a protracted saga that has frustrated the Swedish striker.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made signing a new number nine his priority this summer, with Gyökeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko on his shortlist. While progress on Sesko has been limited, Sporting have been clear they would sell Gyökeres for €80m, less than his €100m buyout clause.
Gyökeres, who has scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting since joining from Coventry for £20.5m in 2023, has agreed personal terms with Arsenal and is keen to complete the move. The 27-year-old is due back for pre-season on Friday but has reportedly indicated he is unwilling to return, such is his determination to force through the transfer.
Sporting's record sale remains Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United in January 2020 for €55m plus €25m in add-ons. They are looking to surpass that with Gyökeres, who has three years left on his contract and has helped the club win back-to-back league titles and the Portuguese Cup.
Arsenal have already signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5m and Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for £56m. They are also close to a deal for Brentford's Christian Nørgaard and are considering a move for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.
