The Viktor Gyokeres saga continues, with Sporting Lisbon making a decision on their want-away striker, while Arsenal continue their attempts to sign Valencia star Cristhian Mosquera
Arsenal know they need a busy summer transfer window, having finished second in the Premier League for the third straight season – and things are beginning to hot up.
They are working on transfers right across the positions, with back-up goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga set to join from Chelsea, midfielder Martin Zubimendi arriving from Real Sociedad and Christian Norgaard coming from Brentford. The Gunners also want a centre-back, a top-class winger and a centre-forward to bolster Mikel Arteta ’s squad.
The slugginess in which they are pursuing a striker has annoyed some supporters who are desperate for a big-money signing up front. The question there has been boiled down to: Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres.
That question hasn’t been answered yet, but sporting director Andrea Berta continues to work on it. Meanwhile, Arsenal are also chasing a centre-back to strengthen their options at the back. Here Mirror Football brings you the latest in those areas – and more.
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Gyokeres stance clear
Arsenal are still understood to prefer Sesko to Gyokeres, but the Portuguese press has offered a different perspective on the saga. O Jogo reports that Gyokeres has been granted permission to join up late with Sporting for pre-season.
The Swedish striker has reportedly told Sporting he won’t play for them again and is determined to force through a move as soon as possible. He only has eyes for Arsenal – and the Gunners know his stance.
Arsenal previously had an offer of €55m (£47m) plus bonuses rejected and the report says they hope that €60m (£51m) plus €10m (£8.5m) in bonuses will be enough to land him. They have apparently agreed this with Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, but Sporting president Frederico Varandas wants €80m (£68m) – and he’s the one that matters.
Valencia want to keep Mosquera
Arsenal have already seen a bid rejected by Valencia for Cristhian Mosquera and the Spanish club ideally want to keep the young defender. He’s entering the final 12 months of his current contract, meaning the time has come for a new deal or to sell.
Valencia captain Jose Gaya has summed up the mood around Mosquera and his team-mates Javi Guerra and Cesar Tarrega. He told Spanish radio: “I would be delighted if all three could stay because I think they can give a lot this new season and bring a lot of joy to the fans. As of today, unless there’s any breaking news, I think all three of them are still with us, and I hope it continues like this, and they continue to grow as players.”
Arsenal will continue the pursuit of Mosquera, who is now their primary centre-back target, with Mirror Football understanding that Liverpool are set to win the race for Marc Guehi.
Partey heading for exit
Thomas Partey’s contract expires on June 30 and, with no sign of an agreement, he appears set to leave Arsenal as a free agent. He has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, but reports in Turkey say he could be joining Fenerbahce.
Fenerbahce’s sporting director, Devin Ozek, has reportedly been in London to hold talks with the Ghana international’s agents. Jose Mourinho has been keen to sign Partey, who is ahead of Leicester ’s Wilfried Ndidi on their transfer list.
Arsenal have already prepared for his departure, with Zubimendi and Norgaard arriving to fill the gaps left by Partey and Jorginho.
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