Viktor Gyökeres available for Arsenal after major price cut

Arsenal have been given a significant boost in the transfer market, with Sporting Lisbon reportedly slashing their asking price for Viktor Gyökeres.

The Sweden international, who has been in scintillating form for both club and country, had been tied to an €100 million (£83 million) release clause, but recent reports indicate that Sporting have re-evaluated, and the striker could now be available for a fee between £50-58 million.

This revised figure, a marked reduction from the initial demands, places Arsenal in an excellent position to pursue their long-term target.

Last month, Sporting were said to be preparing to offer Gyökeres a pay rise in an attempt to fend off January interest, including from Arsenal, who have been tracking the 26-year-old striker since his move from Coventry.

However, Sporting are unlikely to be able to match the Premier League’s lucrative wage offerings, which could prove pivotal in deciding Gyökeres’ next move.

The Swede has enjoyed an outstanding start to the current season, notching 20 goals and providing eight assists in 19 matches for both Sporting and the Swedish national team.

Sporting, aware of Gyökeres’ value, are attempting to increase his wages without publicising the changes or extending his contract, according to reports from Portugal’s Record.

Despite his happiness at the club, the Swedish forward has hinted that the release clause initially placed on him was too high, effectively preventing a summer exit. It could be this reduced fee is part of an agreement for next summer, ensuring he sees out the season in Portugal. “I have a lot of fun at Sporting, and I can’t complain about anything,” Gyökeres said recently. “We always want to try other leagues and a higher level, of course, but I’m not stressed about it.”

Currently, Gyökeres earns €46,000 per week (£39,000), making him the second-highest earner at Sporting—a significant gap from their highest earner at €75,000.

Comparatively, Arsenal could comfortably surpass these figures, with on-loan reserve goalkeeper Neto earning £50,000 per week (€60,000) and Kai Havertz on £280,000 per week (€330,000).

Sporting’s discreet strategy to placate Gyökeres with a salary bump is rooted in their ambition to defend their domestic title, aiming for a historic back-to-back championship win after 70 years. However, keeping the Swede happy in Lisbon may prove difficult, especially if Arsenal or another Premier League giant formalise their interest with a concrete offer.

Gyökeres’ contributions since joining Sporting have been nothing short of impressive—registering 59 goals and 19 assists across 65 matches, cementing his role as one of the most potent attacking forces in Europe. This season alone, his tally stands at 16 goals and four assists from 15 appearances.

For Arsenal, the situation represents a significant opportunity. Sporting’s willingness to negotiate, coupled with Gyökeres’ openness to playing in a more competitive league, could pave the way for a potential deal. The Gunners, needing attacking reinforcements to complement their current squad, may see the reduced asking price as the perfect moment to act.

Sporting, despite their best efforts, will struggle to keep hold of Gyökeres beyond 2025 if Arsenal and other suitors decide to test their resolve.

The lure of the Premier League, combined with a wage packet that Sporting simply cannot match, might prove decisive for the 26-year-old forward.