Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has delivered his verdict on the club’s top target and Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Mail Sport understands that the clubs are close to agreeing a deal worth an initial £55million, with a further £7.4m in add-ons, while Gyokeres has agreed a five-year contract.
Arsenal had hoped to seal the deal before they flew out to their pre-season tour of Asia on Saturday, but the two sides remain at odds over bonus payments and the schedule of instalments, with Sporting pushing for more of the fee up front.
Gabriel and Co came up against Gyokeres in the group phase of the Champions League last season, with the Brazilian mimicking the Swede’s iconic hands-over-the-mouth celebration after scoring.
The 27-year-old has now heaped praise on Gyokeres, who scored 54 in 52 games for Sporting last season.
He told BBC Sport: ‘We all know he is a great player, but he is a Sporting player not an Arsenal player.
Gabriel Magalhaes has delivered his verdict on Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres
Gabriel mimicked Gyokeres’ celebration after scoring against Sporting last season
Arsenal and Sporting are close to agreeing a deal worth an initial £55million for the Swede
‘Playing against him last year was a challenge. He is great and had a great season. About the celebration, it is something I can’t talk about right now.’
Arsenal have strengthened this summer with the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Asked about the Gunners’ transfer business so far, Gabriel added: ‘I think the players that came will help us out a lot.
‘The club is doing what is best for the players and the manager. They are definitely doing their best to bring the best players that can help us, but we have to focus on what we can do out on the pitch.
‘The players that are here are doing that. We are strong and we are getting stronger with these new players.
‘Definitely, it excites me. We want to have the best players. To be in the dispute for titles, you have to have the best players.’
Arsenal finished second in the Premier League for a third consecutive season last term – but Gabriel believes they will go over the line in the upcoming 2025-26 campaign.
‘I’ve been at the club for five years now and I’ve seen how much the club has grown,’ he said.
Gabriel insists that Arsenal will go one better than their consecutive runners-up finishes
Mikel Arteta’s side have worked to strengthen various areas of the team over the summer
‘I am here to win big titles and I do believe that this season will be different. We have let a couple of titles slip through our fingers recently.
‘We almost won but I think this year, things will be different. I have a lot of faith in that.’
Arsenal will take on AC Milan on July 23 and Newcastle on July 27 as part of the Singapore Festival of Football.
