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 goal.
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 near delivering Mikel Arteta’s want to deliver a brand new centre forward before the club embarks on its pre-season tour.
In line with Record, nevertheless, talks stalled with Sporting determined to secure a hard and fast €70m fee.
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The north London club had been prepared to supply €65m plus €5 with one other €10m in incentives and performance related bonuses.
With Sporting digging their heels in, Gyokeres, who’s hellbent on a move to Arsenal, is predicted to report for the beginning of pre-season training on Friday having threatened to go on strike to force through his dream move.
Expert evaluation: Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres is a bunch of various 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 possibly 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 following level, but he’s excellent at using his chest as a magnet to win these aerial duels.
He will not be as fearless as others in relation to aerial duels, but he knows tips on how to use his strengths to his advantage to carry up the ball and convey others into play.
He’s not someone like Roberto Firmino who’s going to be dropping deep, so if Arsenal need to alter certain things to get the very best out of Gyokeres then they need to.
Zach Lowy, European football expert
Rival Portuguese publication Abola, nevertheless, 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’re willing to be flexible with the intention to get to the magic formula.
Essentially, Sporting want €80m, which is achievable, but provided that Arsenal structure the take care of an initial payment of €70m plus €10m.
In other words, Gyokeres is just €5m away from joining Arsenal who’re 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 predicted to be rubber stamped this week with the Denmark international offsetting the departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey.
Arteta and Berta are expected to make use of the last a part of the summer window to finalise plenty of contract renewals and further strengthen Arsenal’s forward line.
There’s optimism that each Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri will extend their deals, while resolving William Saliba’s long-term future stays high on the agenda.
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