Sporting CP Supporters Deliver Harsh Warning to Arsenal Target Viktor Gyokeres
Supporters of Sporting CP have expressed their feelings regarding Viktor Gyökeres's ambition to depart the club, with an Arsenal move drawing closer to finalization.
Before his arrival in Lisbon during 2023, Gyökeres had no experience in elite-level football, yet after netting 97 goals and securing two Liga Portugal championships, the Swedish striker's departure intentions have been widely known.
While Arsenal has yet to finalize terms with Sporting—individual contract details have been successfully arranged—they are believed to be merely €2.5 million (£2.2 million, $2.9 million) short of reaching a complete agreement.
Gyökeres damaged prospects for a smooth departure by missing Sporting's pre-season training, resulting in disciplinary measures for his conduct. Supporters had the chance to express their views on the situation during Wednesday evening's friendly match against Celtic.
Signs displayed by Sporting's traveling supporters at Estádio Algarve clearly indicated that Gyökeres's departure won't cause distress and he will be rapidly forgotten.
"I don't weep for departing players, I celebrate those who remain," read one banner.
A second banner declared: "Nobody stands above the club's priorities, regardless of their identity."
Following Arsenal and Sporting's agreement on the final €2.5 million bonus trigger, after settling on €63.5 million (£55 million, $73.7 million) in guaranteed payments plus three of four performance-based additions worth €10 million (£8.7 million, $11.6 million), Gyökeres can complete his transfer.
The Gunners have operated without a traditional center-forward in recent campaigns. Over the past four seasons, their leading goalscorers have been attacking midfielders or wide players. Alexandre Lacazette scored 17 goals in all competitions during 2020–21, but Arsenal haven't had a striker surpass 30 goals in one season since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang achieved 31 in 2018–19.
Gyökeres will face pressure to validate both the attention and transfer fee. However, he remains untested at Premier League standard, and Darwin Núñez's struggles—the previous Liga Portugal star striker who moved to England for substantial money—suggest caution should accompany the enthusiasm.