Football General Manager
- Luis Suarez set to replace Viktor Gyokeres
- Sporting CP manage to avoid paying release clause
- Striker in Lisbon to complete move
According to A Bola Suarez has arrived in Lisbon to undergo medical checks, after which he’ll put pen to paper on a contract to seal his move from Almeria. Sporting had identified the 27-year-old to replace Gyokeres amid the Swedish forward’s drawn out transfer fiasco and were only waiting for Arsenal to agree to their conditions before making a move for the Colombian international.
The Portuguese club are set to pay around €25 million (£22m/$29m) to the Spanish club for their star striker, though that fee could rise slightly with performance-related bonuses. As part of the agreement, the Spanish club will also include a potential 10 per cent sell-on clause. Suarez is expected to sign a five-year contract with Sporting, which will reportedly also include a release clause set around €80m (£70m/$93m).
The Colombian striker was the top scorer in Spain‘s Segunda Division, scoring 27 goals and registering eight assists in 41 games. The striker was also on Sunderland‘s shortlist, but Sporting advanced in their talks to acquire his signature.
The Gyokeres transfer saga is finally ending after Arsenal agreed to pay Sporting €63.5m (£55m/$74m) plus a potential €10m (£9m/$12m) in performance-related bonuses. The Swedish forward has been given permission to fly for a medical, after which he’ll sign his contract with the Gunners and will be taking up the number 14 shirt at Emirates Stadium.