Arsenal close to Viktor Gyokeres contract agreement after first bid submitted

Something went wrong, please try again later.

Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.

Sign up to the free Arsenal newsletter so you don't miss the latest Gunners news, straight to your inbox

Something went wrong, please try again later.

Sign up to the free Arsenal newsletter so you don't miss the latest Gunners news, straight to your inbox

Arsenal are close to securing a contract agreement with Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres, it has been claimed. Mikel Arteta's side are in the market to sign a new No.9 and have identified the Swede as a top target.

Gyokeres, 26, has scored 52 goals and added 13 assists in 50 appearances for Sporting this season. He is one of the most sought-after attackers in European football right now, and Arsenal want to secure his signature.

In fact, according to CaughtOffside, the Gunners are on the verge of tying the Sweden international down to a five-year contract expected to be worth around £175,000 per-week - or a whopping £9million per-year

Andrea Berta is understood to have played an important role in convincing the Arsenal board to target Gyokeres, having attempted to sign the ex-Coventry City man when he was at Atletico Madrid.

Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Victor Osimhen have been linked with a move to Arsenal, but Gyokeres appears to be the club's first-choice No.9 target and Berta is keen to get a deal done fast.

Reports earlier this week claimed that Arsenal have made their first offer - anticipated to be £63.5million - to sign Gyokeres. It was added that the Gunners have 'everything agreed' with the Sporting striker.

However, Sporting president Frederico Varandas sees this as a first proposal and believes he can get more. Gyokeres could win this season's European Golden Boot and it's thought that could increase his valuation.

While Arsenal are leading the race and confident of getting a deal done, the Gunners are understood to be concerned that Chelsea could charge in and pay his £84.5m release clause.

Sporting are anticipated to add a collection of bonuses, some easy to achieve and others harder, like the Ballon d'Or, in an attempt to add more cash to any transaction.

Although Arsenal are planning for the summer transfer window, their immediate focus is on the Premier League and their remaining two fixtures. First, the Gunners host Newcastle United on Sunday looking to secure a top-five spot and a place in next season's Champions League.

Speaking ahead of the game, Arteta said on Friday: "It's been a phenomenal effort from all of them, understanding the circumstances. It's our last home game, and it's always a very special occasion.

"It's our chance to wrap up the Champions League, to put ourselves in a really strong position for the second place, and in a way to say thank you again to all of our supporters for the amazing season.

"They've been on every journey, in every ground, making the effort to travel with us everywhere and at home as well. I think it's one of the best days in the season when you have to just say thank you to them and they can say what they feel as well about the team."

Click here to read article