The Portuguese international signed for the Gunners last weekend in a £64M deal that manager Mikel Arteta will hope will solve their striker crisis that has been a problem at the club for some time. However, despite the deal being completed, Gyokeres’ co-agent, Jonathan Chalkias accused Sporting of deliberately complicating his departure.
“If Hugo Viana (former Sporting director of football) were still at Sporting, the deal would have been done in an hour,” Chalkias told WTV.
“Everything was written, but we didn't have time to start a legal battle. I don't understand how a player who scored so many goals and won three trophies didn't deserve more respect.
“This industry is about trusting people. The sacrifices we made were probably the turning point in getting the deal done.”
Sporting fined Gyokeres €350,000 (£306,000), which was his entire salary for July due to his refusal to return for pre-season training earlier this month as he tried to force his way out of the side. Despite constant complications, Chalkias clarified that his client was only ever heading to the Emirates this summer even when other top sides were interested.
“They offered him to Real Madrid, he made headlines with Real Madrid and even (Manchester) United, but from day one there was a commitment to Arsenal.
“Viktor always trusted Hasan Cetinkaya's project: they agreed to go to a league with less exposure, like Portugal, to win titles and get back to the Premier League.”
Gyokeres’ loyalty to the Gunners from the start is a great sign for the club and Arteta who will be happy to finally snap him up ahead of the new campaign where he will be hoping the 27 year old can replicate his form in the Premier League whilst he is in his prime.