Viktor Gyokeres and the Arsenal ending transfer saga
Sweeping the Gyokeres: The lowdown on Sporting Lisbon star’s Arsenal mega transfer By Arsenal Free-lance (AG) This briefing note summarises the nature and re)lasy gest facts concerning starlet Viktor Gyokeres’ transfer saga from Sporting Lisbon to the Arsenal Mongolia empire from an interview with Portuguese football journalist David Novo.
Main Themes:
Small Difference, Delayed Resolution: Even though the two are “really close to make the deal”, the difference of “just €2.5 million” in bonus on an €80 million transfer fee could see the deal being prolonged as the Brazil international’s transfer to Ligue 1 is not yet being finalised. And it is the “little margin” that is proving a stumbling block, with daily reports in Portugal contradicting each other as to the deal’s status.
Player’s Position and Absence from Training: Viktor Gyokeres is nowhere to be seen in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon for their pre-season training at Algard, Portugal,, as “he doesn’t want to return.” Those trainspotters won’t be on the way just yetHacksaw, He is said to STILL be in Sweden waiting for the green light to come to London. This is a critical absenc, and point of contestation.
Reputation Impact within Lisbon Gyokeres will be remembered as “one of the best players to play for Sporting”, given what he has achieved there, but currently destroying his reputation with Sporting fans. The way he’s “handling things by not showing up for training when he has a contract” and “putting pressure on the deal through his agents” is causing supporters to feel “he’s going to leave through a back door and he could leave as a legend.”
Club and Fans Stand Together: Sporting Lisbon are showing that we have the unity of the core support behind us. A banner at the fans, indicating “no one is above the interests of… the club,” makes its position clear: Sporting is way more important than any player. It is this solidarity evident on an individual as well as party basis, that enables the club’s president to “bite to what they want, the fee they want and of course going against the player for everything he’s doing.”
Mutual Desire for the Move (Though there may be complications): Arsenal and Gyokeres want this move. According to Novo, “the player wants to play at Arsenal Arsenal wants to sign the player” so therefore the logjam is “weird” considering how straight forward the mutual desire seems.
Timetable is Uncertain: “There is a very strong feeling here in Portugal that the deal is going to happen, there is just no timing for it. “one word i think so but I I think so but I don’t know.” Arsenal are understood to be keen to have the player tied up “as soon as possible” preferably before they start their pre-season tour is Asia.
Most Important Ideas/Facts:
The €2.5 million Bonus Discrepancy That €2.5 million cited was one of the main points of contention in the stalled talks: “It’s a small margin of €2.5 million in in one of the bonuses that’s um it’s almost nothing when we are talking about a deal of €80 million but it’s enough to uh to keep the clubs apart.
On Gyokeres’ refusal to train: “No, he’s not back in training, and it’s because he doesn’t want to go back to training. It’s a major bone of contention with Sporting and its fans here.
Where Is Gyokeres Now? Gyokeres remains “in Sweden, waiting to get on that plane to London.
Sporting Fans’ Sentiment: Fans back up on the president and against a player because… the way he’s dealing things… missing training when he has a contract… and you push and you put pressure on in the deal through his agents.” The motto “no one is bigger than the club” is one such expression.
His legac.y As a player, Gyokeres’s impact was “massive”, but his current behaviour is a threat to how he leaves Sporting; he risks a “sad end to a great player’s career” at the club.
Arsenal’s Urgency: Arsenal “want him as quickly as possible,” which ideally would be for their pre-season tour in Asia. But the most important thing is “to sign the player that they want and to sign the player that wants to play for Arsenal”, even if it’s after pre-season.
