LOOSE CANNON NOT-SO-VERY EXCLUSIVE
"Gyokeres Gone Cold?" – Arsenal's Striker Saga Stalls Again
By The Loose Cannon Crew
Just when Arsenal fans thought the striker drought was about to end, it looks like the tap's been shut off—again. The long-awaited move for Viktor Gyokeres is reportedly on ice, with the Gunners and Sporting Lisbon locked in a stubborn transfer tug-of-war that's threatening to derail the whole deal.
The north London club, having flirted with both Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko this summer, had seemingly pinned their hopes on the Swedish goal machine. Gyokeres, who netted a mind-bending 54 goals last season, looked destined for the Emirates. A pre-contract was believed to be in place, and fans were dreaming of a front line that finally had a ruthless finisher.
But reality bites.
Portuguese sources now claim that talks have ground to a halt. Arsenal's delegation has packed their bags and left Lisbon without a deal in hand, and according to Record, unless Sporting budge on their demands, the Gunners might walk away altogether.
So what's the sticking point?
Gyokeres believes he has a gentleman's agreement to leave for around €60m plus €10m in add-ons (£51.7m + £8.6m). Arsenal have gone above and beyond that, reportedly offering €65m plus €15m (£56m + £12.9m), but Sporting are standing firm: they want the full €70m (£60.4m) up front. No wiggle room, no compromise—just cold, hard cash.
That hardline stance may prove costly. Gyokeres is said to be fuming at Sporting's backtrack, refusing to train and ready to burn bridges. He's even offered to forgo €2m (£1.7m) of his Arsenal salary to sweeten the deal. But so far, Sporting aren't biting.
As it stands, the Gunners are assessing their options. A second round of failed negotiations has left Arsenal officials exasperated, and sources suggest the club might cut their losses and shift focus elsewhere—perhaps to Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze or Chelsea's Noni Madueke, both of whom have been on the radar.
Gyokeres still wants Arsenal. Arsenal still want Gyokeres. But with Sporting playing hardball and the player running out of patience, a bizarre twist could see him loaned out to Fenerbahce just to escape the stalemate.
From Brighton to Coventry to a goal-glut in Portugal, the 27-year-old's journey has been anything but boring. But unless someone blinks soon, his next chapter might be written in Turkey—not north London.
Meanwhile, Arsenal haven't been idle in the market. £60m man Martin Zubimendi has landed from Real Sociedad, Kepa's arrived between the sticks for £5m, and Brentford's midfield general Christian Norgaard has reportedly joined (as he was spotted in a long-distance photo at the training ground) for £12m.
But without that long-coveted No.9, Mikel Arteta's summer revolution still feels incomplete.
Stay tuned. This one's got legs—and not just the kind that bang in 50 goals a season.
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