Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign coveted striker Viktor Gyokeres after fresh escalation in bitter row between Sweden star and current club Sporting Lisbon
Viktor Gyokeres’ forceful push to be granted a Sporting Lisbon exit is set to succeed with latest reports suggesting the Sweden striker is closer to securing a switch to Arsenal after agreeing personal terms.
And despite Sporting chief Federico Varandas furiously saying last month that “threats, blackmail and insults don’t work with me” after Gyokeres allegedly personally phoned him to say he would not play for the club again, while the star’s agent was actively doing his best to ensure a transfer, there is a growing belief that the Portuguese club may be left with no other option but to sanction a deal.
Sporting have made it clear for months that they will not accept anything less than their £85m asking price for their top scorer. The Gunners, who may now look to halt their interest in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, reportedly had a bid of about £60m rejected by Sporting last month.
But after yesterday confirming the signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in a cut price £5m deal from Chelsea, overnight reports from French newspaper L’Equipe referring to Gyokeres’ agent suggest that there is an agreement over personal terms and a five-year deal between the player and Arsenal. That will be viewed as an escalation in a row between club and player that has long turned bitter.
READ MORE: Thomas Muller’s reaction to Man Utd transfer question speaks volumes – ‘You mean now?’READ MORE: Man Utd and Arsenal dealt Viktor Gyokeres blow as Sporting strike huge agreement
Arsenal are also pushing ahead with a deal for the Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, though adding a striker remains the window’s top priority.
Gyokeres joined Sporting two years ago from Coventry City in a club record €20m (£17.2m) deal and has a contract that runs until the summer of 2028.
His current club insist that they will only sell when a €100m (£86m) release clause is activated but Gyokeres has claimed he made a gentleman’s agreement with the hierarchy last year that they would let him depart for €80m (£68m).
That has been strenuously denied by Varandas, who saw Gyokeres score 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions last season.
Manchester United have also been linked with a move for Gyokeres, though their attention now appears to be on Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo having already added Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a £62.5m.
United must also offload several unwanted stars, including Marcus Rashford and Antony, to fund further spending in the summer window.
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