Arsenal push intensifies as key forward insists on immediate exit from current club
Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly informed Sporting CP that he has no intention of returning to the club amid growing frustration over how his future is being handled.
The Sweden international, who netted 52 goals across all competitions last season, is Arsenal’s secondary striker target behind RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
Gyokeres is said to favour a move to the Emirates and has privately signalled his readiness to join Mikel Arteta’s squad. Arsenal have already submitted a £47m bid plus £8.5m in add-ons, which Sporting rejected.
The Portuguese club are holding firm on their €80m (£68m) valuation, with president Frederico Varandas recently going public to declare the striker would not be sold for anything less.
Speaking to O Jogo, Varandas insisted Gyokeres would not be allowed to leave for €60m plus €10m in bonuses and compared his value favourably to players like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
The comments appear to have further soured relations. According to Portuguese outlet Record, Gyokeres now feels “betrayed” and “tired” and is insistent that Sporting uphold what he believes was a prior agreement to let him leave this summer.
The 27-year-old, currently on holiday in Mykonos, has reportedly made it clear he will not return to Sporting, who have ordered him to report for pre-season on 7 July.
Gyokeres’ camp believes a pact was made when he joined last summer that would allow him to depart if a fair offer came in. With a move to Arsenal his preferred destination, they are said to be pushing hard behind the scenes.
However, the Gunners remain focused on Sesko as their top target, with no formal proposal yet submitted to Leipzig. Arsenal are trying to negotiate down from the Slovenian’s €70m clause and could make a move soon.
Gyokeres, who earns around £62,000 a week in Lisbon, would demand a package similar to Sesko’s. But at 27, he offers less long-term upside, and his performances in the Portuguese league are viewed with some caution by Arsenal’s hierarchy.
The club want a new striker in place before their pre-season tour begins on 19 July, and the pressure is growing to conclude a deal.
As things stand, Gyokeres is pushing hard for a transfer, but Arsenal remain patient as they weigh their options.
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