Viktor Gyokeres' dad 'breaks down in tears' after latest twist in Arsenal move
The Gunners have made the Sweden international their top target to strengthen their front line and have made major progress in efforts to bring him to north London in recent weeks.
Gyokeres is desperate to make the move to north London having refused to return to pre-season training with Sporting CP but a fee with the Portuguese giants has still not been agreed.
While Arsenal have agreed to pay €63.5 million (£54.9m) up front, Sporting are standing firm over add-on payments.
While the clubs do not appear to be far off, A Bola now report 'real pessimism' has emerged over the weekend among those at the centre of negotiations.
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
The stalemate has reportedly devastated Gyokeres' family who feel the 26-year-old is doing everything he can to get the move over the line. His father Stefan 'burst into tears' and was left emotionally distraught over the weekend, now believing move will not go through, according to Maisfutebol.
The report concludes the risk of the move falling through completely is now high.
Sporting's demands over add-on fees have been the source of the frustration.
Arsenal have offered a €63.5 million (£54.9m) up front, plus a further €10m (£8.6m) in bonuses.
The Gunners are then proposing €5m (£4.3m) plus a further €5m in add-ons but Sporting are demanding €7.5m (£6.4m) as the first payment.
Arsenal had hoped to reach an agreement before Mikel Arteta's squad leave London for their pre-season tour of Asia on Saturday.
But the squad set off without a deal done and the move still in real doubt.
Last weekend, Spring president Frederico Varandas issued a statement warning Arsenal they will not be strong-armed into a deal.
'If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think this puts pressure on me to facilitate an exit, they are not only completely wrong but are also making the player's exit conditions even more complicated,' Varandas said. More Trending
'No one is above the interests of the club, whoever they are.
'If they don't want to pay for Viktor fair market value, we are perfectly comfortable with this for the next three years [the time left on Gyokeres' contract].
'We are calm about all this. Everything can be resolved with a market closure, a heavy fine, and an apology to the group.'
MORE: Ruben Amorim and Patrick Dorgu give verdict on new Man Utd star Diego Leon
MORE: Thomas Frank explains why three players missed Tottenham's win over Reading
MORE: Eddie Howe teases Arsenal and Liverpool with Alexander Isak transfer update
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
a few seconds ago
- The Sun
Goalie Hannah Hampton is England's penalties hero as Lionesses roar to Euros glory over Spain
GOALIE Hannah Hampton was England's penalties hero with two saves as the Lionesses roared to Euros glory over Spain last night. Hannah starred in the 3-1 shootout win after the sides drew 1-1 in Basel, Switzerland. 10 The King hailed their historic victory, three years after winning Euro 2022. He said: 'The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!' They are the first senior England football team to win a major tournament on foreign soil and the first to retain a trophy after victory in 2022. It was striker Chloe Kelly who sealed the win — repeating her feat from Wembley three years ago when she took off her jersey in celebration. She brought it home this time by scoring the crucial penalty, sparking scenes of joy in Basel, Switzerland. Manager Sarina Wiegman — winning her third consecutive Euros after victory in 2017 with the Netherlands — ran on to the pitch punching the air as she joined the mass of players and staff mobbing Kelly. The Arsenal ace was in tears as she joined thousands of delighted fans singing Sweet Caroline. Moments later, Kelly said: 'I am so proud of this team. So grateful to wear this badge. So proud to be English. I was cool, I was composed. 'I knew I was going to hit the back of the net. Unbelievable. All the staff and Sarina Wiegman — she has done it again! Unbelievable. 'It is going to be crazy. I hope the whole of England comes out to support us and shows their love to these girls as they deserve it.' Supersub Michelle Agyemang, the breakout star of the tournament, sank to her knees and wept as Kelly's penalty went in. In the stands, Prince William and daughter Princess Charlotte roared with delight at the victory. Just before kick-off, a snap of the pair was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X account with the caption: 'Let's go, Lionesses.' Jubilant Wills later greeted them, giving skipper Leah Williamson a hug, before they were presented the Euro 2025 trophy on the pitch. King Charles told the Lionesses: 'You have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration. The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027, if you possibly can!' The team will be at a Downing Street reception today hosted by Deputy PM Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. Ms Rayner said: 'Our Lionesses are absolute champions. Not only are they bringing it home for England again, but they're inspiring the next generation of champions too.' PM Keir Starmer added: 'The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation. "Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement, but an inspiration for young people across the country.' 10 10 10 Former England striker and footie pundit Gary Lineker wrote online: 'They've done it again. She's done it again. Kelly's heroes. Fabulous.' Dutchwoman Wiegman said after the win: 'I can't believe it! We said we can win by any means and that's what we have shown again today. 'I am so proud of the team and the staff. It is incredible.' Spain were favourites on the back of an impressive run of ten straight victories in all competitions, scoring 38 goals in the process. But England, despite a shaky start to the tournament, were confident after seeing off Sweden in the quarters and Italy in the semi-final. A crowd of 34,203 watched as England enjoyed a bright start, with the first chance after three minutes. But as the match wore on, Spain began to dominate and England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was forced into several crucial saves. Mariona Caldentey put Spain ahead on 25 minutes, with Alessia Russo heading England level on 57 minutes. Then, with neither side making a breakthrough in extra time, the match went to a penalty shootout. Hero Hampton saved twice before Kelly's trademark hop, skip and run penalty went in to secure the victory. 10 10 10
North Wales Chronicle
28 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
She's amazing – Chloe Kelly thanks Sarina Wiegman for ‘giving her hope'
The Lionesses, defending the crown they won three summers ago in the Wembley final, made it a hat-trick of knockout-round comebacks on Sunday night after Alessia Russo cancelled out Arsenal team-mate Mariona Caldentey's opener to ultimately force a shootout. Substitute Kelly – who netted the extra-time winner in the Euro 2022 final – cooly converted after Hannah Hampton made two spectacular saves and Salma Paralluelo missed, writing more personal history and a satisfying ending to a fairy-tale 2025, one that began with the 27-year-old doubting if she would even make this squad. Made for the big moments ✨ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 27, 2025 'She's amazing,' said Kelly, asked about a coach who has now led teams to three consecutive European trophies. 'She is an incredible woman. What she's done for this country, we should all be so grateful. What she has done for me individually, she gave me hope when I probably didn't have any, and she gave me an opportunity to represent my country again.' At the beginning of this year, Kelly was still at Manchester City, lacking playing time, and so unhappy that she took to social media to express her wish to leave the club and a situation she shared at the time had 'a huge impact on not only my career but my mental wellbeing', even considering whether or not she wanted to stay in the game. Kelly was left out of Sarina Wiegman's first squad due to a lack of minutes after securing a deadline-day loan move to Arsenal but was called up as an injury replacement in February and has enjoyed revelatory tournament, cementing herself as the most superlative of English super-subs. 'There were a lot of tears at full time,' said Kelly, 'Especially when I saw my family, because they are the people that got me through those dark moments and I am so grateful to be out the back end. If that's a story to tell someone who might be experiencing the same, then tough times don't last. 'Right around the corner was the Champions League final, I won that, and now a Euros final. 'So thank you to everyone who wrote me off. I'm grateful.' Kelly was rewarded with a permanent deal at Arsenal after her impressive loan spell. She added: 'I knew that I had to get game time, and representing England is never a given,' said Kelly. 'But what (Sarina) has done for the women's game, not just in England, but in the Netherlands, the whole women's game, she's taken it to another level.' It was Kelly's cross that teed up Russo for the 57th-minute equaliser on Sunday, and it was her deliveries that allowed Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang to level late in their quarter-final with Sweden, ultimately setting up their first dramatic shootout. Kelly's composed spot-kick was an anomaly in that error-strewn afair, and – though she revealed after Sunday's trophy lift that she had missed three penalties in training – she stepped up and fired home with the same remarkable composure again in the final, once again bearing the weight of England's expectations. Asked if Kelly's coolness was even coachable, Wiegman said: 'I think it's a little bit of both. It says something about the team environment and it says a lot about her character. Everyone brings something different, and she brings this.' Wiegman added: 'Every player has their own story, and I think every story is incredible on its own, but for her most of the stories are out in the open. 'I'm so happy for her. She has been fighting to come back and be at her highest level. She just wanted to take that penalty and celebrate and dance, but to be able to score that penalty under that pressure is very impressive.'
Glasgow Times
30 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
She's amazing – Chloe Kelly thanks Sarina Wiegman for ‘giving her hope'
The Lionesses, defending the crown they won three summers ago in the Wembley final, made it a hat-trick of knockout-round comebacks on Sunday night after Alessia Russo cancelled out Arsenal team-mate Mariona Caldentey's opener to ultimately force a shootout. Substitute Kelly – who netted the extra-time winner in the Euro 2022 final – cooly converted after Hannah Hampton made two spectacular saves and Salma Paralluelo missed, writing more personal history and a satisfying ending to a fairy-tale 2025, one that began with the 27-year-old doubting if she would even make this squad. Made for the big moments ✨ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 27, 2025 'She's amazing,' said Kelly, asked about a coach who has now led teams to three consecutive European trophies. 'She is an incredible woman. What she's done for this country, we should all be so grateful. What she has done for me individually, she gave me hope when I probably didn't have any, and she gave me an opportunity to represent my country again.' At the beginning of this year, Kelly was still at Manchester City, lacking playing time, and so unhappy that she took to social media to express her wish to leave the club and a situation she shared at the time had 'a huge impact on not only my career but my mental wellbeing', even considering whether or not she wanted to stay in the game. Kelly was left out of Sarina Wiegman's first squad due to a lack of minutes after securing a deadline-day loan move to Arsenal but was called up as an injury replacement in February and has enjoyed revelatory tournament, cementing herself as the most superlative of English super-subs. 'There were a lot of tears at full time,' said Kelly, 'Especially when I saw my family, because they are the people that got me through those dark moments and I am so grateful to be out the back end. If that's a story to tell someone who might be experiencing the same, then tough times don't last. 'Right around the corner was the Champions League final, I won that, and now a Euros final. 'So thank you to everyone who wrote me off. I'm grateful.' Kelly was rewarded with a permanent deal at Arsenal after her impressive loan spell. She added: 'I knew that I had to get game time, and representing England is never a given,' said Kelly. 'But what (Sarina) has done for the women's game, not just in England, but in the Netherlands, the whole women's game, she's taken it to another level.' It was Kelly's cross that teed up Russo for the 57th-minute equaliser on Sunday, and it was her deliveries that allowed Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang to level late in their quarter-final with Sweden, ultimately setting up their first dramatic shootout. Kelly's composed spot-kick was an anomaly in that error-strewn afair, and – though she revealed after Sunday's trophy lift that she had missed three penalties in training – she stepped up and fired home with the same remarkable composure again in the final, once again bearing the weight of England's expectations. England's Chloe Kelly celebrates after scoring the winning penalty (Peter Byrne/PA) Asked if Kelly's coolness was even coachable, Wiegman said: 'I think it's a little bit of both. It says something about the team environment and it says a lot about her character. Everyone brings something different, and she brings this.' Wiegman added: 'Every player has their own story, and I think every story is incredible on its own, but for her most of the stories are out in the open. 'I'm so happy for her. She has been fighting to come back and be at her highest level. She just wanted to take that penalty and celebrate and dance, but to be able to score that penalty under that pressure is very impressive.'
