Arsenal have been dealt a major boost to their hopes of signing Viktor Gyokeres. The 26-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer as Mikel Arteta hopes to bolster his frontline.
Gyokeres, who sees his contract at the Jose Alvalade Stadium expire in June 2028, featured 33 times for Sporting CP in the Portuguese top flight last season, scoring 29 goals and providing nine assists. Playing a key role in Ruben Amorim’s side, the Sweden international helped the club win the Primeira Liga title.
His impressive performances didn’t go unnoticed; in March, while the north Londoners may be eager to secure his signature, his €100m (£84m) release clause could prove to be a stumbling block.
However, Sporting have just dropped the biggest hint yet that the Swede could be sold this summer after paying Coventry City to reduce their sell-on clause. According to Portuguese newspaper Bola Na Rede, the Sky Blues’ sell-on clause for Gyokeres has been reduced by five percent following an agreement with the Portuguese club.
The report states that Sporting have paid the Coventry City €1m (£843k) in addition to the striker achieving ‘certain objectives’ during the season. It’s said that the Championship outfit were initially entitled to 15 percent of any profit on the initial fee the Portuguese club paid for Gyokeres last summer, should he be sold.
Coventry City have now earned over £2.5m in add-ons from the initial fee of €20m (£17.5m) they received in 2023. Now, Sporting will be entitled to a greater proportion of a potential fee – which could see them lower their guard in negotiations with clubs like Arsenal, because they don’t have to pay as much back to the Sky Blues.
