Arsenal plot striker transfer breakthrough as crunch Viktor Gyokeres D-day beckons
Sporting CP are expecting Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres to report for pre-season training next week
Arsenal believe next week could hold the key to their seemingly never-ending striker hunt. Portuguese champions Sporting CP are expecting wantaway striker Viktor Gyokeres to report for pre-season training but the Swede is still threatening to go on strike in order to facilitate his dream switch to north London.
Gyokeres and his agent Hasan Cetinkaya remain at war with Sporting president Frederico Varandas, who has been accused of ripping up a gentleman’s agreement that would enable the 27-year-old frontman to depart for £60million.
However, Varandas has made it clear Sporting won’t sell their star man for below what they consider to be fair market value and now the tense situation is threatening to come to a head.
The Sweden international was initially due to report for pre-season training on Monday, when a number of Sporting’s first-team stars will also be back in for physical testing.
However, it’s understood Gyokeres, who is currently in his homeland awaiting movement, was last night handed a four-day extension until Friday – the day before Sporting travel to the Algarve for a training camp – as Sporting chiefs seek to diffuse the saga which is now threatening to reach breaking point.
Arsenal have persistently flirted with swoops for both Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko this summer but if the ex-Coventry City hitman does not show up for training in Lisbon, there is optimism Sporting will have no choice but to soften their stance over his price-tag.
Gyokeres is planning to hold face-to-face talks with Varandas upon return to Portugal and it’s understood he feels there is now, no way back as he does not want to be denied the chance to sign on the dotted line with Arsenal given his contribution to Sporting over the past two seasons.
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Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta has been actively pushing for the Sweden international since arriving at the club while Mikel Arteta has been courting Sesko for the best part of 18 months.
However, should Sporting slash their asking price – it would significantly strengthen Arsenal’s hand to land either player.
Even if the Gunners did not want to push the button on Gyokeres, there is a sense they could use Sporting’s reduced demands as leverage in negotiations with Leipzig for Sesko, which is why they’ve been so determined to play the long game.
Gyokeres has been stepping up his fitness this week alongside personal trainer Giannis Katsigiannis while on holiday in Mykonos.
Meanwhile, Sesko has also been relaxing on the Greek island and remarkably, the two Arsenal striker targets have even shared the same mobile barber in the past 10 days.
Arsenal sources deny they have made an offer for either player to date, though Berta has held initial dialogue with representatives of both clubs.
Last month, the Italian chief is understood to have met with Sporting director Bernardo Palmeiro in Menorca where informal discussions took place and there have also been direct conversations with Leipzig’s Marcel Schafer over Sesko.
Arsenal appear to have a clear run at both forwards as Gyokeres has already intimated to Manchester United that he would favour a switch to the Emirates despite his respect for former boss Ruben Amorim.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who was the subject of a rejected approach in January, and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike are both also admired.
While a centre-forward is considered a top priority, the Gunners are also striving to strengthen their wide and attacking midfield options with Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Rodrygo all among the key names of growing interest.
Personal terms are now in place with Madueke following several rounds of discussions with the Chelsea winger’s camp and Arsenal are now expected to approach the Blues to formally discuss a potential transfer.
Sources close to Chelsea have indicated they’re now expecting Arsenal to bid for the England international and negotiations could not advanced in the forthcoming days.
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