Arsenal’s transfer delegation returned to London on Tuesday empty-handed and are yet to agree a deal for Viktor Gyokeres.
The Gunners were understood to have made significant headway last weekend having made the Sweden international their No.1 striker target.
Interest in Benjamin Sesko appears to have been shelved on account of RB Leipzig’s €90million valuation and the player’s own personal demands.
Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s sporting director, had been driving negotiations and appeared close to delivering Mikel Arteta’s wish to deliver a new centre forward before the club embarks on its pre-season tour.
According to Record, however, talks stalled with Sporting determined to secure a fixed €70m fee.
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The north London club had been prepared to offer €65m plus €5 with another €10m in incentives and performance related bonuses.
With Sporting digging their heels in, Gyokeres, who is hellbent on a move to Arsenal, is expected to report for the start of pre-season training on Friday having threatened to go on strike to force through his dream move.
Expert analysis: Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres is a bunch of different strikers blended into one. He’s a bulldozer, but he’s also got that turn of pace and knack of finding himself in shooting areas. Some strikers, you can see they overthink things, but he’ll shoot first and ask questions later.
At 6ft 2in, he could definitely add an aerial presence to his game to take himself to the next level, but he’s very good at using his chest as a magnet to win these aerial duels.
He may not be as fearless as others when it comes to aerial duels, but he knows how to use his strengths to his advantage to hold up the ball and bring others into play.
He’s not someone like Roberto Firmino who is going to be dropping deep, so if Arsenal need to change certain things to get the best out of Gyokeres then they should.
Zach Lowy, European football expert
Rival Portuguese publication Abola, however, strike a more optimistic tone and suggest an agreement will ultimately be reached.
The sticking point at present hinges on the structure of the payments Arsenal are proposing to make, but Arsenal have indicated they are willing to be flexible in order to get to the magic formula.
Essentially, Sporting want €80m, which is achievable, but only if Arsenal structure the deal with an initial payment of €70m plus €10m.
In other words, Gyokeres is just €5m away from joining Arsenal who are expected to return with an improved offer by the weekend.
Elsewhere, Arsenal have already confirmed the signings of Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Christian Norgaard’s arrival from Brentford is expected to be rubber stamped this week with the Denmark international offsetting the departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey.
Arteta and Berta are expected to use the last part of the summer window to finalise a number of contract renewals and further strengthen Arsenal’s forward line.
There is optimism that both Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri will extend their deals, while resolving William Saliba’s long-term future remains high on the agenda.
