Arsenal are now set to move quickly to wrap up a deal to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, according to reports in Portugal.
Gyokeres’ relationship with Sporting has turned sour this week with the Sweden international now desperate to secure a move away from the Portuguese capital.
Arsenal held fresh talks with the striker’s agent on Wednesday to discuss a move to bring him to the Emirates.
The Gunners have explored moves for both Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko this summer with reports now suggesting the former may now be their prime target.
Arsenal officials met with Gyokeres’ representative, Hasan Cetinkaya, with A Bola reporting the Premier League side are now ready to move forward with a concrete offer.
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During the meeting, Arsenal discussed terms with Cetinkaya and the fee it will take to sign him with a formal proposal expected ‘in the next few hours’.
A Bola also claim Arsenal are ‘in a hurry’ to conclude the deal with Gyokeres also keen on the move to north London.
Arsenal must now agree a fee with Sporting with club president Frederico Varandas yesterday accusing Gyokeres’ agent of trying to ‘threaten and blackmail’ the Portuguese champions.
Despite having a €100million (£84m) release clause, it has been widely reported Sporting will allow him to leave him for €60m plus €10m in add-ons (£50m plus £8m) this summer, stemming from an apparent agreement between the club and player’s representatives last year.
Varandas however insisted there was never any agreement over a final number, ruling out the possibility of Gyokeres leaving for that cut price fee.
‘One thing you should already know is me better,’ Varandas said. ‘Threats, blackmail and insults don’t work with me. I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for 60+10 because I never promised him that.
‘This game that the agent is playing only makes the situation worse. [Are there offers for 60 million?] To this day, Sporting has not had an offer for Viktor Gyokeres, neither today nor last season.’
Arsenal also remain in talks with RB Leipzig over a move for Sesko. Sporting director Andrea Berta believes a deal can be done for around £75m but so far there has been no major breakthrough.
Manchester United and Juventus meanwhile remain interested in the former Coventry City star.
Ruben Amorim has been eager for a reunion with his former striker in Manchester but a lack of European football on offer at Old Trafford next season could prove to be a decisive blow to those plans.
