Arsenal’s bid to land Viktor Gyokeres may have received a timely lift, with reports out of Portugal suggesting Sporting Lisbon are closing in on a deal for a potential replacement Almeria striker Luis Suárez.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reported on Sunday that Sporting have accelerated negotiations with Almeria for the Colombian-born Spanish forward. In a series of posts on his official X account, Romano noted,
“Talks between Sporting and Almeria for Luis Suárez have accelerated in recent hours! Agreement close for the striker to join Sporting with final details to be sorted this week. Almost there.”
Suárez, who previously played for Watford, is coming off an impressive campaign in Spain’s Segunda Division where he netted 27 goals in 41 appearances. His current contract reportedly includes a €40 million (£34.6m) release clause, and Sporting appear willing to trigger the deal if Gyokeres exits.
That exit, however, remains a tense and uncertain affair. Arsenal are eager to add firepower this summer and have made Gyokeres their top attacking target. The 27-year-old Swede has been electric since joining Sporting from Coventry in 2023, racking up an incredible 97 goals in 102 matches. He is understood to be pushing for a move to North London and is said to have made his intentions clear.
Softfootball reported that negotiations, though, have hit a wall. Sporting president Frederico Varandas has insisted the club will not be pressured into accepting a fee below the player’s valuation.
These are his statements.
“If they don’t want to pay Viktor’s fair market value, we’re very comfortable with that for the next three years”.
“This strategy is also making it more complicated for the player to leave. Nobody is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are”.
“We’re calm. Everything will be resolved with the market closing, a hefty fine and an apology to the group”.
Also Gyokeres has refused to report for pre-season training, and his legal team has sent a letter to the club accusing Varandas of backtracking on previous promises.
With Sporting preparing for life after Gyokeres and Arsenal still circling, the coming days could prove decisive.
