Viktor Gyokeres eventually provided a £ 63.7 million switch to Arsenal from Sporting CP, but his move to London was far from just sailing, with a former teammate happy to see the back of the Saga
Pedro Goncalves admits that he is happy to see the back of the “unnecessary” transfersaga between Arsenal and Sporting CP about Viktor Gyokees. After they played his role in helping the Lions to protect a Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal Double last season with 54 goals in all competitions, Gyokees was interested in a number of Premier League clubs.
While it was initially thought that Manchester United and Arsenal were in a race with two horses for the Swedish striker, Gyokeres made it clear that the Emirates Stadium was his favorite destination, pushing hard for a transfer to the North Londoners.
When the conversations between the two clubs started blocking because Arsenal wanted to secure the 27-year-old for less than his £ 67.7 million, appreciated Gyokees to train pre-season and to strike in an attempt to move things. He felt sporty to bypass their Lord's agreement that they would not stand in the way of joining an Elite club this summer for a pre-graduated price.
Gyokeres' actions were found to have little impact on club president Frederico Varandas, who insisted that strike action would not change the attitude of Sporting CP.
He said to Lusa at the time: “We are calm. Everything can be solved with the closure of the market, a big fine and an apology to the group. If they do not want to pay the real market value of Viktor, we will be very comfortable with it for the next three years.
“If the geniuses that come up with this strategy think that this is busy making me easier to make it easier to leave, not only are they completely wrong, but they also make it more complicated for the player to leave. No one is over the interests of the club. The one they are.”
Fortunately for Arsenal, they were ultimately able to work out a deal with the Portuguese giants in the end £ 63.7 million to secure Gyokeres with a five -year contract. And although Goncalves is sad to see his teammate vary with Sporting, he is overjoyed that the dramatic transferaaga full of twists and turns have finally ended.
In an interview with O Jogo, the 27-year-old said: “I was not injured. I wished him good luck. I said,” Finally. “This whole thing wasn't necessary in my opinion … but that's football.
“I wished him good luck, and he said thank you. And that's it. He had to leave and others came.”
In the meantime, the sporty CP head coach Rui Borges also gave his own view of the recent departure of Gyokeres, which was many of the feelings that shared Goncalves. He said: “I haven't spoken yet, but I can speak to thank everyone for everything.
'Hurt? No. To be honest, I was not injured. That's football. It's part of football. There are arrivals and departure. We need to know how to deal with it. We have to adjust all the time. He was a very important player, not just this season.
“I wish him good luck in the world, he marked an era in our football. He will be missed in his own way. We will have other players. We will remain competitive. Players come and go, but the club will stay. Others will come in and be great and better.”
Sporting has wasted little time on issuing the money they received in their multi-million pounds of Gyokeres, in which he signed Ud Almeria's Luis Suarez while they look to ensure that they have a proven no. 9 ready for the new season.
The Colombian impression on the previous term of the Segunda division, scored 27 goals and scoring eight assists for his side, and many fans will like to see how he makes the transition to Liga Portugal.
Speaking of the new acquisition of Sporting, Borges added: “I believe that he will somehow also leave his mark on sport and that he will help us to stay strong and victorious. He is different from Viktor, but I believe he will be important.”
Gyokeres comes as the newest in a wealth of signing sessions from Arsenal this summer and joins Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arizabalaga and Noni Madueke as a new arrival. However, it seems that Mikel Arteta is not yet completely ready to strengthen his team for the new Premier League season.
The Gunners are still hunting Ebereechi from Crystal Palace. While the attacking midfielder, who offered eight goals and helps a piece in the Premier League last season, a release clause of £ 68 million in his contract, it is thought that Arsenal is trying to conclude a deal around £ 60 million.