Viktor Gyokeres was fined his entire July salary for protesting his transfer to Arsenal, including refusing to train and going on strike, but the move is now close to completion with him set to join Arsenal and receive bonuses and a high-profile shirt number.
Arsenal have finalized their transfer deal for Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP after resolving disagreements over add-on clauses, including a controversial Ballon d'Or trigger, with the Portuguese club. The deal is valued at around €73.5 million, and Gyökeres, aged 27, will now compete in one of Europe's top leagues, marking his first time in a major European league after a career spanning Sweden, the Championship, and Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have confirmed his departure from Al-Nassr after scoring in his final game, hinting that his chapter there is over, but he has not disclosed his next club, with links to Sporting CP and MLS. The 40-year-old, nearing 940 career goals, is set to become a free agent and is expected to update his plans soon, amid a season where his team did not win trophies.
Arsenal secured a commanding 5-1 victory over Sporting CP in the Champions League, marking their first away goals in the competition this season. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring early, with Arsenal leading 3-0 by halftime. Despite Sporting pulling one back, Arsenal regained control with a Bukayo Saka penalty and a late goal from Leandro Trossard. Martin Odegaard's return from injury was pivotal, enhancing Arsenal's attacking play. The win boosts Arsenal's prospects for a top-eight finish, crucial for avoiding an extra knockout round.
Manchester United fans are excitedly comparing Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim to legendary coach Sir Alex Ferguson after Sporting's impressive performance against Manchester City. While some fans are eager to see Amorim succeed at United, others express skepticism about his potential impact, citing past managerial challenges at the club.
Sporting CP advances to the quarterfinals of the Europa League after beating Arsenal in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw at the Emirates. Granit Xhaka scored for Arsenal in the first half, but Pedro Goncalves equalized with an unbelievable goal from just past midfield. The game went to extra time and then penalties, with Sporting coming out on top. Arsenal suffered two injury substitutions in the first half and missed a crucial penalty in the shootout.