Viktor Gyokeres breaks silence as £69m Arsenal transfer talks accelerate

Viktor Gyokeres has spoken publicly for the first time since it emerged Arsenal are closing in on the signing of the Sporting CP striker.

Having laid the groundwork to accelerate for either the Sweden international or RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, football.london understands Arsenal's effort is now being placed in securing Gyokeres' arrival this summer.

With it also understood the 27-year-old is mutually attracted to the proposition of moving to the Emirates Stadium, it is reported the club's sporting director Andrea Berta has flown out to Portugal to wrap up matters.

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Mikel Arteta's squad have returned for pre-season training as of Monday, July 7. They jet off for their summer tour of Asia on July 19, playing their first friendly vs AC Milan on July 23 in Singapore, so must act quickly if hoping to have Gyokeres involved.

Meanwhile, the striker himself appears to have produced public comment for the first time since the saga took its latest turn.

French publication L'Equipe have teased a France Football interview with Gyokeres, the full length of which is to be published on Saturday, July 12.

Interestingly, the section released so far sees him comment on his relationship and time working under Ruben Amorim, who left Sporting CP for Manchester United, who have also been linked with his transfer until very recently.

"We won two championships in a row, for the first time in 71 years. It's an incredible achievement, and of course, Ruben Amorim played a big role in that," he said of their time together.

"I can't thank him enough. The style of play we had under his orders suited me perfectly."

On Amorim's decision to leave Sporting for Old Trafford only three months into the 2024/25 campaign, Gyokeres commented: "It was a shock. It's never happened to me to see a manager leave in the middle of the season when everything was going well.

"Yes, it was surprising, but I totally understand his decision," holding "no resentment" towards the Man United manager.

Despite no ill feelings existing, Portuguese publication Record believe Gyokeres rejected the notion of a move to United, who coincidentally face Arsenal on the opening day of the 2025/26 season on Sunday, August 17, for clear reasons.

Firstly, financial issues are flagged up as the offer did not appeal to the player. Afterwards a lack of European football, let alone Champions League football specifically, dampened United's chances, and finally so did the 'greater sporting risk' involved.

The path is therefore clear for the Gunners to attempt to settle a deal with Sporting, who have been publicly resolute in their evaluation of their No.9.

It is believed Sporting are holding out for £61m plus £8.6m in add-ons with strong footing as the negotiations advance.