Arsenal’s efforts to finalise a deal for Viktor Gyokeres could be boosted as Sporting CP have been warned that they risk out on signing their first-choice replacement striker.
Mikel Arteta’s side have held extensive negotiations with Sporting over a deal for Gyokeres but the Portuguese champions have been standing firm over the add-on payments.
Arsenal have offered a €63.5 million (£54.9m) up front, plus a further €10m (£8.6m) in bonuses.
The Gunners are then proposing €5m (£4.3m) plus a further €5m in add-ons but Sporting are demanding €7.5m (£6.4m) as the first payment.
Arsenal had hoped to reach an agreement before Arteta’s squad leave London for their pre-season tour of Asia on Saturday.
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However, Sporting could now be under pressure to move quickly as they have been told by Almeria that Luis Suarez, their first-choice replacement for Gyokeres, has attracted interest from other clubs.
Suarez was Almeria’s standout performer in Spain’s Segunda Division last season, scoring 27 goals in 41 league appearances, and Sporting want the 27-year-old Colombian to succeed Gyokeres.
Speaking to CNN Portugal on Friday, Almeria’s sporting director, Joao Goncalves, revealed that Sporting have not made an official approach for Suarez and talks are now ‘moving forward’ with other clubs.
‘Luis has had his best season, he’s in the best moment of his career – 31 goals is a number any forward wants to achieve,’ Goncalves told CNN Portugal.
‘We haven’t had any official contact with Sporting to date. We haven’t received any formal or informal contact, but we have with other clubs, and we’re moving forward with negotiations with other clubs. We’re managing our timing.
‘He has a €40 million (£34.6m) release clause. To paraphrase Frederico Varandas – we’re not asking for the value of the clause, but we’re going to defend our interests.’
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