Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres sees transfer clause finally come into effect

Viktor Gyokeres' agent will now be allowed to claim compensation for any bids submitted that exceed £52million and end up being rejected by Sporting Lisbon as his bitter transfer saga rolls on

A clause in Viktor Gyokeres' Sporting Lisbon contract that will see the star's agent receive 10 per cent of any bid above £52million (€60m) rejected came into force on Tuesday.

And that may strengthen Arsenal's hand further as they look to seal the signature of one of Europe's most coveted centre forwards with L'Equipe claiming, via his representatives, that the Sweden international has agreed personal terms on a five-year deal with the Gunners.

That means the only remaining hurdle between Gyokeres arriving in north London is the transfer fee - an issue that could soon be solved with the 10 per cent rejection clause now in force. Conversely, it could also further exacerbate the issues between the player, his representatives and the club from whom he wants to depart.

Sporting have made it clear for months that they will not accept anything less than their £86m (€100m) release clause for their top scorer. Arsenal, who may now look to halt their interest in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, having been negotiating with both strikers.

It's been claimed that Arsenal had a bid of about £60m rejected by Sporting last month, although the Gunners are staying quiet on that issue.

Arsenal are also pushing ahead with a deal for the Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, although adding a striker remains the window's top priority.

Gyokeres joined Sporting two years ago from Coventry City in a club record £17.2m deal and has a contract that runs until the summer of 2028. His current club insist that they will only sell when the release clause is met but Gyokeres has claimed he made a gentleman’s agreement with the hierarchy last year that they would let him depart for £68m.

That has been strenuously denied by furious club president Federico Varandas, who saw Gyokeres score 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions last season, and a bitter row has developed as a result.

The clause with the agent is interesting because, while he is due 10 percent of any bid rejected over £52m, him electing to take that percentage if an offer is indeed turned down will only harden Sporting's resolve to then reject any further offers that don't give them what they want. Thus, it makes negotiations between all parties that little bit more complex.

Manchester United have also been linked with a move for Gyokeres, though their attention now appears to be on Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo having already added Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a £62.5m. United must also offload several unwanted stars, including Marcus Rashford and Antony, to fund further spending in the summer window.

But it's understood United believe Gyokeres prefers a move to North London rather than a reunion with Ruben Amorim in Manchester.