Viktor Gyokeres is nearing a move to Arsenal but the Sporting Lisbon striker and his girlfriend are reported to be going ahead with an expensive project in the Portuguese city
Viktor Gyokeres may be on the verge of a move to Arsenal but the Sporting Lisbon striker reportedly plans to continue laying down roots in Portugal. The forward has spent two years in the Portuguese capital after signing from Coventry City.
Gyokeres has emerged as Arsenal’s leading target to solve the club’s striker issue, with manager Mikel Arteta determined to end the club’s Premier League title drought. The Gunners have been working to finalise an agreement with Sporting over a £63.6million deal.
Despite the switch not being officially sealed, the Sweden international has indicated that he will soon be on the move by having a friend help clear out his house in Lisbon. The 27-year-old may be set to return to England, but he is said to be planning to continue building a home in Portugal.
CNN Portugal had reported the removal scenes at Gyokeres’ house in the Costa de Caparica area on Thursday. Record then claimed that the move was handled by the striker’s friend, who had travelled from Sweden to oversee the logistics.
Removal vans were seen loading up Gyokeres’ furniture at his home. The forward is said to be in Stockholm while he waits for updates on his transfer to Arsenal. Sporting are expected to penalise the former Coventry star for skipping pre-season training while the negotiations are ongoing.
However, Portuguese broadcaster CMTV has since reported on its ‘Noite das Estrelas’ programme that Gyokeres and his girlfriend Ines Aguiar are still preparing to build a house in the Sesimbra area of Lisbon. Gyokeres was first claimed to be dating the Portuguese actress in January 2024 and their relationship is described as solid, despite recent speculation that the couple had parted ways.
Gyokeres has proven to be a revelation since his move to Lisbon, despite forging a reputation as one of the leading forwards in the Championship during his time at Coventry. He has scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting across all competitions, helping to fire the club to two league titles and the Taca de Portugal.
This prolific spell prompted interest from Manchester United, Juventus and teams in the Saudi Pro League this summer. However, Arsenal appear close to winning the race for his signature as their recruitment drive continues.
The Gunners have already welcomed Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and former Brentford captain Christian Norgaard to help bolster their midfield. Winger Noni Madueke completed his move from Chelsea on Friday and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga also made the switch from Stamford Bridge earlier this month.
Arsenal will hope that the arrival of Gyokeres can help the club close the gap to reigning champions Liverpool, who have also been busy in the transfer window. However, Sporting president Frederico Varandas has explained that Gyokeres missing pre-season training will not help accelerate a deal.
“We’re calm. Everything will be resolved with the closing of the market, a heavy fine, and an apology to the group,” Varandas told the Lusa news agency. “If they (interested clubs) don’t want to pay fair market value for Viktor, we are very comfortable with that for the next three years.
“If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to facilitate the exit, they are not only completely wrong but are also making the player’s exit even more complicated. No one is above the club’s interests, whoever they may be.”
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