£300m Stan Kroenke masterplan given boost with Viktor Gyokeres ‘agreement’ before Arsenal transfer move

Arsenal’s hopes of investing heavily over the summer transfer window may well be boosted by a “gentlemen’s agreement” surrounding Viktor Gyokeres and an exit from Sporting CP.

It comes as the Gunners are preparing for a huge few months ahead, with plans starting to heat up over the coming market.

With Andrea Berta now announced as the new Arsenal sporting director, the Italian is already looking at players he could bring in to improve the squad.

Arsenal Insider understands that the North London outfit want to sign a striker as a top priority alongside a winger, potentially two midfielders and a goalkeeper.

It underlines just how busy the summer could be for Berta, with the Arsenal owners looking to back the incoming director.

Recent reports have stated that Arsenal could have £300million to spend in the transfer window, underlining the sort of finances that Stan Kroenke and Josh Kroenke could be backing Mikel Arteta with.

With a striker likely to take up a decent chunk of that, the news of one move may well help ease any financial concerns that some fans may have.

It remains to be seen whether the Gunners will go for the Swedish international, given their interest in Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko among others.

While Gyokeres could be on the cards for Arsenal, it’s unclear exactly how much he could end up costing them.

There is a release clause in his deal at Sporting CP, but reports have stated that a “gentlemen’s agreement” would allow him to move somewhere closer to the region of around £67million.

That, in itself, may seem like a boost with a pay reduction, but it’s even better when you get into the financial aspects.

Arsenal Insider spoke to finance expert Adam Williams, who revealed that not having to pay for the release clause could help create extra deals this summer for Arsenal, due to being able to spread the cost out over a longer period.

He said: “For Arsenal, PSR isn’t a concern. They have loads of headroom and there accounts for 2023-24 reinforced that.

“The reason they didn’t sign the striker they needed in January was because they didn’t think there was value in the market.

“Clubs are often held to ransom in the winter window, and they didn’t want to pay £100million-plus when they could get a discount in the summer, plus they were unlikely to win the league anyway, so – as far as the Kroenkes were concerned – the risk-benefit didn’t line up.

READ MORE: David Ornstein sets record straight on Arsenal transfer links to ‘phenomenal striker’

“If the stories about Gyokeres being allowed to leave for £67m are accurate, that’s well, well within their capabilities in the summer, and if it’s not a release clause deal, Arsenal won’t be under any obligation to pay the fee up front.

“I don’t think that will necessarily be a deal breaker for Sporting because they’re cash rich at the moment, and if they did want the money in one go, then they could go through a transfer creditor anyway. But if Arsenal can avoid taking a massive hit to their cash flow, it will free up funds to be spent elsewhere, and I’d guess that with the new sporting director that a refresh is imminent.

“Stan Kroenke doesn’t like to underwrite big cash losses but their accounts for 2023-24 show that they’re moving in the right direction there. I think a statement signing is well on the cards.”

READ MORE: Ex-Arsenal star who Cesc Fabregas thought was ‘under appreciated’ shared regret of leaving

How Viktor Gyokeres compares to Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko

With the Kroenkes set to invest a huge fortune into the squad this summer, Arsenal need to make sure they’re landing the right players.

The striker position is naturally the big one, with it being deemed the missing puzzle piece for plenty of fans and pundits alike.

Alexander Isak will almost definitely be the most expensive option of the lot, with claims that he could cost £150million or more.

The striker is tried and tested in the Premier League, with a record that simply speaks for itself.

PlayerAlexander IsakBenjamin SeskoViktor GyokeresAppearances343842Goals241842Assists5611Arsenal striker transfer target statistics, all competitions 2024/25.

Benjamin Sesko has the weakest scoring statistics of the three, but he has plenty of potential and could reach a high ceiling.

As for Viktor Gyokeres, his scoring and assisting record is the best, the main question comes regarding whether he can translate that to the Premier League or not.