After weeks of quiet work, it’s finally happening, Viktor Gyökeres is on his way to becoming an Arsenal player.
The 26-year-old Swedish striker is flying into London with his agent Hasan Cetinkaya for a medical ahead of what could be one of the biggest striker signings of Arsenal’s modern era.
This move, long whispered about in football headlines, is now all but confirmed. And perhaps the most telling part of the story? Gyökeres only had eyes for Arsenal.
A Striker with One Destination in Mind
In a summer filled with transfer chaos and agents pushing players from one club to another for the best possible fee, Viktor Gyökeres stood firm.
According to multiple sources, including a report earlier today from Fabrizio Romano, the player made it very clear that he wanted Arsenal and no one else.
“Gyökeres, set for Arsenal medical as he only wanted to join them,” Romano said in his latest exclusive. That wasn’t just a random update, it says a lot.
Gyökeres had interest from several big clubs from Europe. Chelsea and AC Milan had been linked. Even clubs in Saudi Arabia had reportedly reached out. Once Arsenal showed interest, everything started to advance.
People around him say he’s been keeping an eye on the team for a while. He likes how they play, and the idea of playing every week in front of a full stadium in the Premier League.
Reports say he told people close to him weeks ago, “If Arsenal want me, I’m going.”
And now he is.
The Agent Who Stepped Aside
What makes this transfer even more unique is the role of Gyökeres’s agent, Hasan Cetinkaya. In a move rarely seen at this level of modern football, Cetinkaya has agreed to waive his agent commission just to help make the deal happen.
That’s not a small thing. Agent fees in big-money transfers can easily run into millions. But in this case, the agent prioritized his client’s dream over his own payday.
“He really wants to play for Arsenal. I support that 100 percent,” a source close to Cetinkaya reportedly told Swedish outlet Aftonbladet. “Hasan knows what this means to Viktor. That’s why he’s done everything to remove any obstacle. Including giving up his cut.”
In an era where agents are often seen as money-driven middlemen, this move will likely win Cetinkaya a lot of respect from Arsenal fans.
Why Arsenal Have Been Looking for a New Striker
If you’ve been watching Arsenal for the last two seasons, you’ll know they need this kind of signing. The team needed a strong and reliable striker who can score regularly.
Gabriel Jesus is good, but injuries and missing of chances have made it hard for him to be perform well.
Eddie Nketiah showed promise but hasn’t fully convinced Mikel Arteta. Kai Havertz was often used as a false 9 last season, and although he worked hard, many still believe he’s more comfortable behind the striker.
In Gyökeres, Arsenal are getting a proper No. 9. A powerful runner, smart in his movement, technically sound, and with a real eye for goal.
He scored 43 goals and registered 15 assists in all competitions for Sporting CP last season. That’s not just good form, it’s elite. Not many strikers in Europe had this kind of contribution compared to him last season.
What makes him better is how he scores all kinds of goals with his head, quick tap-ins, long shots, and even goals he creates on his own. Arsenal need a striker like this.
Arteta Finally Signs the Striker He Wanted
Mikel Arteta has been heavily involved in this signing. Reports say Arteta spoke directly to Gyökeres a few weeks ago to explain the deal and why he wanted him at the club.
Arteta’s always said he wants players who are committed, not just for Arsenal, but also for tem.
He’s 26 now, so this is a good stage in his career. He’s played in England with Coventry before, so he knows more about the game. Now he’s coming back with more experience than before.
Sources at the club have described Arteta as “delighted” that the deal is moving forward. The manager sees Gyökeres as the kind of striker the team need, someone who can make good runs, handle tough defenders, and finish the chances Arsenal missed last season.
What Arsenal Fans Are Saying
Arsenal fans have been talking about Gyökeres for months. At first, some were unsure. Was he good enough? Was he worth the rumored €85 million price tag?
But over time, the tone changed. Clips of his goals went viral on social media. Fan pages started posting side-by-side comparisons with top Premier League strikers. And as it became clearer that this was the club’s top striker target, the mood shifted from doubt to anticipation.
Now that he’s on a flight to London for his medical, the excitement is real.
“I’ll be honest, I didn’t know much about him at first,” one fan posted on Twitter. “But the more I’ve watched, the more I get it. This guy is serious. Strong, fast, technical. We need that.”
Another added: “If he can bring even half of his Sporting form to the Prem, we’re cooking.”
Details of the Transfer Deal
Sporting CP had always insisted they wanted full payment of Gyökeres’s €100 million release clause. Arsenal, as usual, tried to negotiate. Eventually, both clubs found common ground with a structured deal that’s expected to rise close to €90 million with bonuses.
This makes Gyökeres one of the most expensive signings in Arsenal history, right up there with the likes of Declan Rice and Nicolas Pépé.
But internally, the club believes he’s worth it. The scouting department have followed him closely since his Championship days at Coventry, and Sporting’s analysts raved about his development in Portugal.
“It’s a lot of money, but this isn’t just a goal scorer. This is a guy who can lead the line for the next five years,” said one club insider.
What’s Coming Next for Gyökeres and Arsenal
Gyökeres is expected to arrive in London today, and he’s set to have his medical tomorrow. If everything goes as planned, Arsenal should be able to announce the deal before the end of the week.
Once the signing is done, he’s likely to join the team for their preseason games. That’ll be the first chance for fans to see him play in an Arsenal shirt.
Some people said he might wear the number 14 shirt, the one Thiery Henry used to wear. It would mean a lot if it happens, but nothing had been confirmed.
Wanderlustsport Verdict
Transfers like this don’t happen overnight. Arsenal have learned from their past mistakes and moved with quiet confidence this summer. No leaks, no drama just solid work behind the scenes.
In Gyökeres, they’re not just signing a striker. They’re signing a player who truly wants to be there, who turned down bigger offers to live out a dream, and who is ready to lead the line for a team that’s knocking on the door of greatness.
If you're an Arsenal fan, this one should hit different. The fee and goal he scored matter but that’s not the main thing. The team just need a player like him.