Why can't Arsenal finalize Gyökeres deal?

After a third consecutive Premier League runners-up season, Arsenal are showing determination to finish in the summer of 2025.

The likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard have arrived at the Emirates, with two more deals - Noni Madueke from Chelsea and Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia - also in the final stages of being completed. The total outlay is approaching the £200m mark, signaling the clear ambition of Mikel Arteta and the club's hierarchy.

But while everything was going smoothly, the Viktor Gyökeres deal suddenly stalled. Despite agreeing on 97% of the terms with Sporting CP, the two sides still couldn't "close the deal" just because of... 2.5 million euros.

It sounds absurd, but behind it is a calculated bargain between two teams with very different transfer mindsets.

The tug of war from a seemingly simple term

According to Record (Portugal), the total value of this deal is 73.5 million euros (about 63.6 million pounds). Of which, 63.5 million euros is a fixed payment, while the remaining 10 million euros are performance-dependent clauses - a common payment structure in expensive deals.

Three of the four add-ons were agreed: Gyökeres plays 20 games in his first season at Arsenal; 20 more in his second season; Arsenal qualify for the Champions League.

All three of these conditions are considered easy to achieve if Gyökeres integrates well. But the sticking point is the final €2.5m bonus - which Sporting want to attach to the milestone of Gyökeres playing a total of 40 matches in the 2026/27 season.

This is a relatively easy goal for an official striker, in the context of Arsenal competing in many arenas. However, the Emirates team disagrees.

Arsenal are slow with Gyökeres.

Rather than a purely quantitative milestone (number of games), Arsenal want this condition to be tied to more specific achievements - such as the team winning the Premier League, Champions League or an individual player winning the Ballon d'Or.

Such conditions are not uncommon in big-money deals, especially from English clubs, where financial calculations are closely monitored. Arsenal, for their part, are not opposed to paying an additional €2.5m, but want to ensure that the money is only spent if Gyökeres makes a real difference, rather than simply “enough numbers”.

That thinking is not wrong, but because they are too cautious, they are at risk of letting the deal fall into a deadlock - and even being interrupted if another club jumps in.

2.5 million euros: Small amount of money, but big problem

In modern football , especially in a competitive league like the Premier League, time is money. Losing a week means missing out on tactical preparation, reducing the chance of integration and forcing coaches to extend testing periods.

While Arteta needs a centre-forward as soon as possible to get used to the system, the €2.5m “traffic jam” could create a negative reaction from fans.

Gyökeres scored 54 goals for Sporting last season.

Remember, Gyökeres scored 54 goals for Sporting last season - a performance that many European giants are looking at. Arsenal may be getting closer to the finish line, but if they "squeeze" too much at the end, they could lose everything.

Sporting have reason to defend their position. They are selling one of their best strikers, and want to ensure they get the maximum value, even from the smallest terms. For the Portuguese side, €2.5 million is a considerable sum, which can be immediately reinvested in the squad.

For Arsenal, this is a test of their transfer policy – a lesson in balancing financial vision with the need for football. Taking a stand might save some money, but it also carries the risk of a key deal falling through.

A deal is 97% done but stuck in the remaining 3% - it sounds trivial, but it is the nature of modern football: it is not just the pitch, but also the negotiating table.

€2.5m is not a game-changer for Arsenal's finances, but it is becoming an important "test" for how the "Gunners" define the value of a contract - and also a challenge for their true ambitions for next season.

Will they compromise, or continue to bargain? The answer will be more telling than we think.

Source: https://znews.vn/vi-sao-arsenal-chua-the-dut-diem-vu-gyokeres-post1569264.html