As Viktor Gyökeres’s arrival at Arsenal is confirmed, the Gunners have revealed their big money striker will also take on the burden of the club’s No. 14 shirt.
Arsenal’s quest to sign Gyökeres had veered on the fringes of farcical earlier this summer. Negotiations with Sporting CP have seemingly been conducted in the public eye, with each twist and turn rapidly leaked to the press in between explosive outbursts from the Portuguese champions’ president, Frederico Varandas.
Personal terms with the player were wrapped up quickly enough and even the broad structure of a transfer fee was settled. The extensive delays appeared to revolve around the precise nature of what Gyökeres would have to do trigger the add-ons included in a deal which is thought to be worth a guaranteed €63.5million (£55.2 million, $74.7 million) plus a further €10 million (£8.7 million, $11.8 million) in bonuses. Arsenal were reportedly forced to accept more easily achievable clauses, having initially proposed a Ballon d’Or clause, to finally reach a full agreement
But the sight of Gyökeres in an Arsenal shirt, bearing No. 14, will at last have fans purring.
