Viktor Gyokeres signs five-year deal with Arsenal

Arsenal have completed the signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting, for a final fee of €63m (£55m), with a further €10m to potentially be paid in add-ons (totalling £64m).

The 27-year-old has signed a five-year contract, a move that marks the end of an 18-month hunt for a number-nine from Arsenal.

Gyokeres’ arrival also marks the end of a hard period of negotiations with Sporting, who were insistent on more achievable add-ons. At one point, the deal dragged on and stalled over a potential add-on of €5m.

Speaking at his unveiling, Gyokeres noted that he decided to sign for Arsenal after the Gunners thrashed his Sporting side 5-1 in the Champions League last season.

“I just felt it was the right club for me,” said Gyokeres. “What I heard from Mikel and [sporting director] Andrea Berta and just what I’ve seen in the past years, how they’ve been playing football.

“When I played against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against.

“That made me choose Arsenal, and of course all the history the club has and the massive fan base.”

The move takes Arsenal’s summer spending up to about £204m, following the arrivals of Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera.

“Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels,” said Gunners boss Arteta.

“He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat.

“We’re excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to starting working with him.”