Arsenal’s Transfer Turmoil: £63.5M Gyokeres Deal Stalls as Trossard Agrees Shock Exit and Arteta Eyes Squad Clear-Out

Arsenal’s summer transfer window is heating up, but not in the way fans hoped. Mikel Arteta’s ambitious rebuild to match Liverpool and Manchester City is hitting turbulence as the Gunners face a fresh setback in the Viktor Gyokeres saga, just as several squad exits loom on the horizon. 

After months of talks, Arsenal were on the brink of sealing a £63.5 million move for Sporting Lisbon’s star striker Gyokeres.  

But just when it seemed like Andrea Berta, the Sporting director, had ironed out the final details in Lisbon, a new obstacle has emerged.  

Portuguese outlet Record reports that the deal has hit a snag over the structure of add-ons. Sporting want the performance clauses to be “easily achieved,” while Arsenal are pushing back, unwilling to risk inflated payments. 

This delay has cast a shadow over what has otherwise been a dynamic summer window. Arsenal have already splashed out £60 million for midfield maestro Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.  

Christian Norgaard has arrived from Brentford for £12 million, and Kepa Arrizabalaga has joined from Chelsea to boost the goalkeeping ranks.  

The imminent arrivals of winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea for £52 million and Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia signal Arteta’s desire for attacking flair and defensive solidity. 

Yet for every big-name signing, exits must follow. Arsenal are under pressure to balance their books due to PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules), and Arteta is ready to make tough calls. 

According to the Evening Standard, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira, and Reiss Nelson are all on the chopping block after returning from loan spells.  

The Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has lost his spot to academy prodigy Myles Lewis-Skelly, is another likely departure. Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard are also being considered for sale, although Arteta is wary of weakening his squad depth. 

Trossard’s future, in particular, seems all but decided. The Belgian international has reportedly agreed personal terms with Fenerbahce, where Jose Mourinho is crafting his next football revolution.  

The Turkish club are eyeing a £20 million bid, though Bayern Munich, led by Vincent Kompany, are also circling after being rebuffed by Liverpool in their £58.6 million pursuit of Luis Diaz. 

Despite a productive campaign with 10 goals and 10 assists in 56 appearances, Trossard’s rotational role behind Gabriel Martinelli has left him hungry for more minutes and Mourinho’s promise of a starring role may have done the trick. 

As fans eagerly await updates on the Gyokeres impasse, it’s clear Arsenal’s window is far from over. The Gunners are reshaping fast, but whether they’ll emerge as true title contenders or miss the mark will depend on how they navigate the final stages of this transfer puzzle.