It’s been one of those sagas that starts with real promise, builds momentum, and then suddenly, out of nowhere, hits a setback.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres looks to be heading in the wrong direction after fresh reports suggest talks with Sporting CP have hit a dead end.
What seemed like a deal nearly done over the weekend now feels like it’s hanging by a thread.
Let’s be clear, Arsenal want a striker. They’ve been open about it, they’ve acted fast in other areas, and they thought Gyokeres was the guy. But something’s not clicking behind the scenes with Sporting, and if this drags on much longer, the Gunners could be ready to move on completely.
Gyokeres Was the Clear Choice
After missing out on Benjamin Sesko who opted to stay put at RB Leipzig and signed a new deal Arsenal shifted their full focus to Gyokeres. The Swedish striker has been tearing it up in Portugal.
He scored 43 goals and 15 assists across all competitions last season. Those numbers don’t lie.
He’s not just a one-season wonder either he’s a physical presence, a real bully up top, but with clever movement and work ethic. In many ways, the kind of striker Arsenal fans have been crying out for.
From the club’s side, things were lining up nicely too. They had already locked in two smart signings: goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea and midfield anchor Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. Brentford’s Christian Norgaard is expected to follow soon. So the momentum was there. It felt like Gyokeres was next.
Positive Noise from Fabrizio Romano
By the weekend, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano had Gunners fans believing the deal was nearly done.
“Arsenal are now getting closer to signing Viktor Gyökeres after new round of talks in recent hours,” he wrote on X. “Gyökeres will NOT return for training at Sporting as he's fully focused on leaving the club; Arsenal are now advancing. Nothing done yet but discussions underway.”
A few hours later, he followed up with more encouraging words: “Gyökeres has reached TOTAL agreement with Arsenal on contract terms and informed Sporting about his desire to join. No intention to discuss other options, only to proceed with Arsenal as soon as possible.”
It was all pointing in one direction, the player wanted the move, Arsenal wanted him, and terms were agreed on the personal side. So what’s the hold-up?
Ben Jacobs Reveals Gyokeres Sacrificed for Arsenal
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Swede is doing everything he can to push the transfer forward. Speaking to talkSPORT, Jacobs explained how the striker has even lowered his wage demands to help get the deal over the line.
“The current wage size is lower because Viktor Gyokeres has now reduced his wage demands and is prepared to reduce his salary by around €2 million annually,” he said.
Jacobs also added, “Gyokeres has almost said 'I want Arsenal.' He knows Sporting are asking for more than Arsenal expected, so he’s meeting them halfway. That means if they have to pay a bit more for the fee, they’re saving on wages the total package still makes sense.”
In other words, Gyokeres is all-in. He’s waiting, watching, hoping Arsenal and Sporting can finally shake hands. But right now, there’s no handshake.
Deal Hits Setback — Arsenal Back in London
Fresh reports on Tuesday from Portuguese outlet Record (via Daily Mail) reveal that Arsenal’s representatives flew back to London after failing to reach an agreement in Lisbon over the weekend. Not a great sign.
Sporting are standing firm on their €70 million asking price. There were whispers they might accept a €65m fixed fee with another €15m in bonuses to bring the deal close to €80m, but even that hasn’t convinced Arsenal.
And this is where things get tricky. Despite all the goodwill from Gyokeres and the work done so far, Arsenal are reportedly starting to wonder if it’s time to walk away.
The latest update from Record claims the club is now “considering cutting their losses entirely unless there is a substantial change from the Sporting side.” That's heavy. This isn't a minor bump in negotiations, it's potentially the end of the line.
From "Close" to Breakdown?
It’s hard to ignore the emotional whiplash fans are going through. Over the weekend, it felt like Gyokeres was practically a Gunner. Now? The tone has changed. It feels like Arsenal are reaching their breaking point.
And for the striker himself, it’s no better. The Mail’s report says Gyokeres is “preparing for the worst” in case the deal doesn’t happen.
That could even mean taking a late loan exit if Arsenal don’t come through. You have to feel for the guy he’s lowered his demands, made it clear where he wants to go, and now he’s just stuck in limbo.
It’s frustrating because, unlike some of Arsenal’s previous drawn-out transfer sagas, this one felt like it had real clarity. No drama from the player, no bidding war with other clubs. Just one target, one direction. But money always talks.
A Fan Perspective: Same Old Arsenal?
Let’s not pretend this isn’t familiar. Arsenal fans have been here before. Dusan Vlahovic, Mykhailo Mudryk, Moises Caicedo. The club identifies a top target, pushes hard, gets close, then walks away when the price goes too high. And look, financial discipline matters especially with FFP breathing down everyone’s neck.
But this is a striker we’re talking about. Arsenal have gone seasons without a consistent 20+ goal striker. If they really believe Gyokeres is the answer, the missing piece to close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool, why not pay the extra €5m? Especially when the player himself is bending over backwards to help.
On the flip side, if Arsenal think Sporting are taking the mickey stretching the fee knowing the Gunners are desperate then maybe it’s the right call to walk away. But if they do, where do they turn?
What Are the Alternatives?
With Sesko off the table and Gyokeres at a standstill, the striker shortlist suddenly looks thin. Ivan Toney is there, sure, but he’s not cheap either and brings a very different style.
Dominic Solanke is another name, but there are questions about whether he’s elite level. Santiago Giménez has been getting some shouts too, but let’s be real, nobody knows if he can handle the Premier League. There’s no obvious fallback that ticks as many boxes as Gyokeres.
It’s also late in the window to start from scratch. The Euros are over, pre-season has started, and most top clubs are already locked into their plans. That makes it harder to pry a striker away now than it was in June.
What Happens Next?
For now, all eyes are on Sporting. They hold the cards they’ve got the player under contract, and they know Arsenal want him. But they also risk unsettling a key player if they dig in too hard.
The relationship between club and striker could be damaged if this drags on much longer.
From Arsenal’s side, they’ll have to make a final call. Either up the bid and get it done or walk away and pivot quickly. There’s no room to let this linger.
Mikel Arteta and Edu have worked hard to trim the fat from the squad and strengthen key areas missing out on the striker could undo a lot of that good work.
Wanderlustsport Verdict
This deal still has life. The player wants it, Arsenal want it, and the gap while real is not impossible to bridge.
Time’s running out and Arsenal have already spent weeks on this and honestly, they can’t afford to let go of this like the others. They've put in the work. Now it’s either they get it done, or they move on fast. They’ve made the effort. Now it’s about finishing the job or having the courage to walk away and not look back.
Whatever happens, Gyokeres deserves credit for how he’s handled this. No drama. No agent games, Just a player doing everything he can to make a dream move happen.
Whether it’s in north London or not, someone is going to get a very determined striker this summer.