Why Arsenal will not pay Sporting CP what they want for Viktor Gyokeres as transfer talks continue

Where is Viktor Gyokeres? The question on the minds of many Arsenal supporters as they try to make sense of the negotiations which continue between the clubs.

The Gunners had pulled out of the race to sign Benjamin Sesko, put off by RB Leipzig’s determination to stick to their €90million-plus (£77.6million) valuation of the player. This was the reason behind the pivot to Gyokeres, but the club have experienced similar resistance in talks with the Portuguese club.

It is believed that Sporting CP want a deal with €70million (£60million) guaranteed plus €10million (£8.6million) in add-ons. Whereas the Gunners are looking to offer €65million (£56million) up front with €15million (£12.9million) in add-ons.

News that Arsenal are hoping to secure a deal in the region of £50million, therefore, for Noni Madueke, a move that is proving widely unpopular amongst supporters, has unsurprisingly sparked questions when news from Portugal has suggested issues with the Gyokeres talks. Reports in Portugal claim the deal was close to collapse, but the Mirror have since clarified a 'cooling off' period was allowed, which drew the talks out and which are set to continue imminently.

How could Arsenal spend so much but not go the perceived smaller amount extra to land Gyokeres? Well, the club may do just that in the coming days, but for now, the perspective is anything but that.

The desperation for Arsenal to sign a traditional No.9 is naturally exacerbating this hysteria. Trying to make sense of it, for Arsenal: they do not want to be seen as simply giving in to the demands of clubs they are negotiating with.

The same has gone for the likes of Brentford with Christian Norgaard and currently Valencia with Cristhian Mosquera. Clubs have their valuations; believe it or not, there were credible reports West Ham originally valued Declan Rice closer to £120million before Arsenal secured the £105million deal.

As talks are ongoing for Madueke, Arsenal are trying to structure the deal in a way more favourable to them like they did with Kai Havertz. Chelsea were looking for a £70million deal at the time for the German international, but Arsenal brought them down.

Had Arsenal just caved to these teams' terms, their negotiating position in future deals would have been severely compromised. Andrea Berta is negotiating on many fronts with Mikel Arteta wanting at least three attacking signings this summer, it is understood.

If Arsenal end up paying the full demands for two of those three, it might mean a move for the third becomes very complicated. As such, talks continue as they do in any deal and while we await for the next big update, it is important to remember the thought processes behind these talks and why things simply are not just paid.

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