Record: Arsenal to Submit €60M Bid, But Sporting Hold Out for €80M for Gyökeres

According to Portuguese outlet Record, Sporting CP have made it clear that their asking price for Viktor Gyökeres is €80 million.

Arsenal Ready €60M Bid for Viktor Gyökeres, But Sporting Stand Firm on €80M Valuation

According to reports from Portuguese outlet Record, Sporting CP have made it clear they will not accept anything less than €80 million for Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres.

Arsenal are reportedly preparing a formal €60 million offer in the coming days, but major obstacles remain. Earlier this month, the Gunners tested the waters with an informal proposal of €55 million plus €10 million in add-ons. The offer was never formalized and was communicated during a meeting with Sporting executives, who immediately rejected the idea.

Meanwhile, Arsenal had also been exploring the option of signing RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Šeško. However, talks have cooled due to the player's high wage demands and Leipzig’s own valuation of €80–100 million. As a result, Arsenal’s focus has shifted back to Gyökeres, with a new push being prepared — again centered around the €60 million mark, potentially with additional performance-based clauses.

Despite the efforts, Sporting president Frederico Varandas issued a strong public statement:

"Sporting will not demand the release clause to be triggered, but let me be clear — threats, blackmail, and insults don’t work on me. One thing I can guarantee: Gyökeres will not leave for €60 million plus €10 million in add-ons. It won’t happen, because I won't allow it. The games being played by his agent are only making things worse."

Varandas' comments were also aimed at Gyökeres' agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, who recently claimed that Sporting had previously promised a release for €60–70 million. The agent cited text messages exchanged with former Sporting director Hugo Viana from September and October 2023 as evidence.

Now, Sporting have officially set Gyökeres’ price at €80 million, and reports suggest the player is growing frustrated. Some sources even claim he has threatened to skip preseason training to force a move.

Adding further tension, there is a clause in Gyökeres’ representation agreement that states if Sporting reject a formal bid exceeding €60 million, the club must pay 10% of that amount to the agent as compensation. If Cetinkaya activates this clause, Sporting are expected to harden their stance further — demanding that the full €100 million release clause be paid in full.

As Arsenal prepare their next move, Juventus — once a strong contender — appear to be pulling out, now targeting Jonathan David instead. However, Atlético Madrid have entered the race and are closely monitoring the situation, potentially setting up a new bidding war for the prolific Swedish striker.