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Sporting CP to offer Arsenal target Gyökeres pay rise to convince him to stay

Daily Cannon
·3 min read
Sporting CP to offer Arsenal target Gyökeres pay rise to convince him to stay
Sporting CP to offer Arsenal target Gyökeres pay rise to convince him to stay

Arsenal remain keen on securing Swedish forward Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP, but the Portuguese club is preparing a pay rise to try and persuade him to stay.

However, the Lions are unlikely to match the wages on offer in the Premier League, where Arsenal could offer a far more lucrative package.

BONUS FOR GYÖKERES HE PLAYED 90 MINUTES AGAINST MAFRA (2-1) AND WAS IN BOTH GOALS GOALSCORER WILL BE COMPENSATED FOR STAYING IN ALVALADE Record8 Sep 2024 HARDER SHOWS HIMSELF TO AMORIM With an overwhelming start to the season, scored by 8 goals and 5 assists in 6 official games, between club and national team, Gyökeres used for the first time a critical tone to talk about the termination clause (100 M€) that allowed Sporting to resist his departure until the closing of the market. “It's too much, " he said bluntly before the Azerbaijan-Sweden match, arguing that after a season in which he had 43 goals and 15 assists in 50 games, only the high value of the clause will explain why there have been no moves. Is a new problem created in Alvalade, for the player or for the club? Judging by the performance and the words of the Swedish forward himself, no. 'Vik' made a point of making it very clear that he is happy with Leo on his chest and even showed understanding with SAD's strategy, aware that the great design of the season is the two-time championship, which has eluded him for 70 years. “They wanted to keep most of the starters and they were firm in holding us. I like Sporting very much, staying was not a problem,” he clarified. That said, the question is: Will Everything be the same between Sporting and Gyökeres after this market? The answer, here as in the previous question, is: no. On hold In fact, according to the report, although until now there have been no concrete developments in this direction., GOALSCORER IS HAPPY AT ALVALADE BUT ALSO ASSUMES HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE LEAP TO ANOTHER LEAGUE on the table is the possibility that Frederico Varandas ' administration will reward Gyökeres through a salary increase,which will have to be done without contract extension or public communication. On the side of the spearhead, our newspaper knows, the expectation that this can happen is high; on the part of Sporting, despite the desired discretion around the process, there is receptivity to reward a player who was the great protagonist of the conquest of the title and who, at 26, continues not only to attract the interest of European sharks but also to feed the will to make the leap to a more competitive league than than the Portuguese. "I have a lot of fun at Sporting and I can't complain about anything, so I have no problem staying. We always want to try other leagues and a higher level, of course, but I'm not stressed about it,” Gyökeres said. It is in this context, without drama or fuss but with the exit door ajar for 2025, that the Lions ' top scorer expects to be called soon to discuss his contractual situation, adjusting it to the status confirmed and reinforced over the past few months.
Record, 8 September 2024

Gyökeres, 26, has been in sensational form again this season, contributing eight goals and five assists in six games for Sporting and Sweden.

According to Record in Portugal, Sporting are quietly managing negotiations to increase Gyökeres’ salary ‘without offering a contract extension or public communication’ on the matter.

Despite his strong performances, Gyökeres has openly expressed his desire to potentially move to a more competitive league in the future, even while reiterating his happiness at Sporting. “I have a lot of fun at Sporting and I can’t complain about anything. We always want to try other leagues and a higher level, of course, but I’m not stressed about it,” Gyökeres said recently.

Arsenal keeping an eye on contract developments

Sporting Lisbon's Swedish forward #09 Viktor Gyokeres runs with the ball during the Portuguese league football match between Sporting CP and Rio Ave FC at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on August 9, 2024. (Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images)
Sporting Lisbon’s Swedish forward #09 Viktor Gyokeres runs with the ball during the Portuguese league football match between Sporting CP and Rio Ave FC at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on August 9, 2024. (Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal have been monitoring Gyökeres for some time, with his performance levels continuing to impress since his move to Sporting from Coventry City.

While the Swedish forward is happy in Portugal, his contract’s €100 million release clause remains a significant obstacle for interested clubs.

Gyökeres himself described the figure as “too much” in an interview before Sweden’s match against Azerbaijan, hinting that only the high clause prevented his departure this summer and that a move could happen as early as January.

Sporting Lisbon's Swedish forward #09 Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Portuguese league football match between Sporting CP and Rio Ave FC at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on August 9, 2024.(Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images)
Sporting Lisbon’s Swedish forward #09 Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Portuguese league football match between Sporting CP and Rio Ave FC at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on August 9, 2024.(Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images)

Sporting CP are keen to reward their top scorer with a pay rise but are unlikely to match the wages that Premier League sides like Arsenal can offer. As their second-highest earner, Gyökeres reportedly earns €46k-per-week (£39k). Their highest earner is on €75k.

To compare, Arsenal are reportedly paying their on-loan reserve goalkeeper, Neto, £50k-per-week (€60k) while Kai Havertz earns £280k.

The process, that Sporting reportedly wanted to manage with “utmost discretion,” is designed to keep the player happy in the short term, with Sporting eyeing a historic back-to-back league title after 70 years.

Arsenal’s potential bid for Gyökeres

SOLNA, SWEDEN - SEPTEMBER 8: Viktor Gyokeres of Sweden celebrates with teammate Dejan Kulusevski after scoring 3-0 during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League C Group C1 match between Sweden and Estonia at Strawberry Arena on September 8, 2024 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
SOLNA, SWEDEN – SEPTEMBER 8: Viktor Gyokeres of Sweden celebrates with teammate Dejan Kulusevski after scoring 3-0 during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League C Group C1 match between Sweden and Estonia at Strawberry Arena on September 8, 2024 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

For Arsenal, the situation presents an opportunity.

Gyökeres’ incredible start to the season, combined with his desire to play at a higher level, could see the Gunners test Sporting’s resolve in the next transfer window.

Although the Portuguese side managed to retain him during the summer transfer window, keeping hold of him beyond 2025 will be a challenge, particularly if Arsenal offer a financial package Sporting cannot match.

Gyökeres’ impact at Sporting has been undeniable, having contributed 50 goals and 18 assists across 55 matches. He also has 10 goals in 22 games for Sweden.

His consistency for both club and country has further solidified his reputation as one of the most exciting forwards in Europe.

While Sporting prepares to offer a pay rise, Gyökeres’ desire to eventually test himself in a more competitive league leaves the door open for Arsenal and other clubs.