No regrets over Viktor Gyokeres transfer after ‘traumatic’ Arsenal saga

Sporting CP have no regrets over selling record-breaking striker Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal, according to Portuguese media.

The Sweden international traded Lisbon for North London in the summer after a drawn-out, dramatic saga that included allegations of blackmail and broken promises.

Ultimately, the Gunners agreed to pay up to €73.5 million for Gyokeres, slightly more than what the player claimed had been agreed beforehand. The 27-year-old’s contention was that Sporting CP had promised to sell him for €70m this summer.

Gyokeres, after breaking scoring records for fun in Portugal, even went AWOL to push through his transfer. With the forward having netted 97 goals and provided 28 assists in 102 appearances, Sporting were naturally keen to squeeze as much money as possible out of him.

He has already scored three goals in six appearances for Arsenal, but he is still clearly in the process of striking up partnerships with his teammates and building chemistry, often looking isolated. This is understandable after joining the team late and without a proper pre-season.

Sporting deadly in front of goal – without Gyokeres

As for Sporting, they have no regrets over selling the Swede, according to A Bola. As the Portuguese publication points out, they have recovered from the ‘trauma’ of losing one of the best players in club history and are thriving in front of the net.

18 goals in six games is the Lisbon side’s second-best haul this century. Only at this stage last season did they have more with 22. In Gyokeres’ first campaign, their tally at this juncture stood at just 12.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, of course, with Sporting losing the Supercup to Benfica and tasting defeat against league-leaders Porto in late August, but Gyokeres certainly isn’t being missed.

Pedro Goncalves and new striker Luis Suarez (no, not that one) have adequately replaced the Arsenal star and are spearheading one of the deadliest attacks in club history.

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