As of press time, Arsenal and Sporting CP have yet to reach an agreement.
Arsenal's envoy has been stationed in Lisbon since last weekend, maintaining direct contact with Frederico Varandas and Sporting's management.
News first emerged yesterday of the Gunners' second offer: a €65 million fixed fee plus €15 million in performance-related bonuses, significantly higher than the initial bid of €55 million plus €10 million (presented at a meeting in Menorca three weeks ago).
On the surface, the gap appears to be just "€5 million," but in reality, negotiations yielded little progress—Varandas-led Sporting executives showed no willingness to budge, insisting on a non-negotiable €70 million fixed transfer fee.
This standoff prompted Viktor Gyökeres to call the Sporting president again, his tone laden with the frustration that has simmered over recent weeks, turning the process into a virtual game of chicken.
On Sunday evening, Gyökeres forfeited €2 million in salary—part of his five-year Arsenal contract—to help raise the Gunners' fixed offer to the €65 million figure.
However, Sporting's pressure on Gyökeres to sacrifice his wages has enraged the player and his agent, Hasan Çetinkaya.
They publicly responded behind the scenes, releasing text messages and voice notes from Hugo Viana dating back to September and October 2024.
In these communications, the former Sporting football director had promised to facilitate Gyökeres' departure for €60 million plus €10 million—an amount already surpassed by Arsenal's bids.
