Viktor Gyokeres has rejected a transfer to Juventus with the striker’s agent informing the Serie A club that Arsenal are the first-choice destination, according to reports in Italy.
Last week, Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, met with his counterpart at Sporting CP, Bernardo Palmeiro, in Menorca to discuss a deal for Gyokeres.
Juventus are also in the market for a new striker and have made an approach to Gyokeres’ agent this month.
It’s understood that Juventus indicated to Gyokeres’ representative that they are willing to offer the striker a five-year contract worth €13m (£11m) a year before taxes.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
Juventus were also ready to submit a bid to Sporting for Gyokeres which was worth in excess of £60m with add-ons factored in.
However, Corriere dello Sport reported on Wednesday that Juventus are now out of the running to sign Gyokeres as the striker’s agent has made it clear to the Italian club’s general manager, Damien Comolli, that a move to Arsenal is the priority.
Gyokeres has also rejected an approach from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal this month.
The 27-year-old has a €100m (£85.1m) release clause in his contract but Sporting have been willing to sell the Sweden international for lower than that amount.
However, Sporting have been angered by suggestions that a set transfer fee had been agreed ahead of the summer transfer window, with the Portuguese club’s president, Frederico Varandas, criticising the striker’s agent last week.
During his negotiations to bring Gyokeres to Sporting in a £20m deal from Coventry City two years ago, the striker’s agent, Hasan Cetinkaya secured an exclusive sales mandate which means that the Portuguese champions will have to pay the agent 10 per cent of the value of any rejected offer above €60m (£51m).
However, it is understood that if Cetinkaya decides to activate that mandate this summer, Sporting will respond by demanding that Gyokeres’ €100m (£85.1m) release clause is met.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
