Viktor Gyokeres accepts Sporting punishment ahead of £63m Arsenal transfer

Viktor Gyokeres has been fined by Sporting for going on strike (DPPI/Shutterstock)

Viktor Gyokeres has accepted his fine from Sporting CP in order to complete his £63 million transfer to Arsenal.

After weeks of negotiations, Arsenal have finally agreed a deal with Sporting for the 27-year-old worth €63.5m (£54.8m) up front, plus €10m (£8.6m) in add-ons.

Gyokeres travelled to London on Friday and is due to undergo his medical this weekend before finalising his move to the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Gyokeres will be able to link up with his new Arsenal teammates as soon possible with the squad currently in Singapore for their pre-season tour.

Gyokeres went on strike in order to force through his switch to Arsenal as he refused to report back for pre-season training with Sporting CP on July 12.

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Sporting were angered by Gyokeres’ refusal to return to training as an agreement over the €10m (£8.6m) add-on payments had not been reached with Arsenal at that point.

Viktor Gyokeres has forfeited his July salary with Sporting to pave the way for his move to Arsenal (LightRocket via Getty)

According to Record, Sporting president, Frederico Varandas, demanded that Gyokeres forgo his entire salary for July after taking 13 days of unauthorised absence.

Varandas was also angered by Gyokeres’ decision to have another holiday in Mallorca last week while his Sporting teammates were in pre-season training.

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Gyokeres has now agreed to give up his salary for July, which is worth €350,000 (£306,000), but Sporting have allowed the striker to keep the bonus payments he received for last season, including €500,000 (£437,000) for over 50 goals and assists combined.

The Sweden international, who scored 97 goals in 102 appearances in two seasons at Sporting, has now agreed a five-year contract with Arsenal and is set to wear the No.14 shirt for the upcoming season.

When asked directly about Gyokeres’ move to Arsenal, Arteta said on Friday: ‘You know I cannot talk about a player who is not ours yet.

‘Whatever happens in the next few hours I’m sure the club will make a statement about it.’

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