Absent striker: Arsenal target's bold move to 'break' stalemate
Viktor Gyokeres has failed to report for pre-season training with Sporting CP in what appears to be a clear attempt to force through a transfer to Arsenal.
However, as Portuguese outlet A Bola first reported this morning, Gyokeres was nowhere to be seen.
Sporting had permitted Gyokeres to delay reporting for pre-season training due to international commitments, and he was scheduled to join the squad in Lisbon before travelling south with the rest of the team on Saturday.
Sporting officials are now braced for the possibility that Gyokeres will not turn up at all.
Club president Frederico Varandas has been privately informed that Gyokeres has a strong desire not to play for Sporting again unless a move to Arsenal is sanctioned.
Gyokeres is said to be furious with how the transfer has stalled, believing the club has reneged on a gentleman’s agreement to allow him to leave for €60m plus €10m in add-ons.
Arsenal have reportedly surpassed that figure with a package worth up to €80m but have yet to reach a formal agreement with Sporting over the payment structure.
The Gunners have already agreed personal terms with Gyokeres on a five-year deal and remain confident of landing their priority target.
Sporting, for now, are refusing to comment publicly and will wait until Saturday to assess whether the striker’s absence constitutes a formal breach of club rules.
Should Gyokeres remain absent without justification, he could face disciplinary consequences, including fines.
In extreme cases, five consecutive unexcused absences could technically allow Sporting to terminate his contract, though the club are unlikely to risk losing a player who scored 54 goals last season.
This development is the most dramatic twist yet in a transfer saga that has dragged throughout the summer.
Despite links to Manchester United and Chelsea, the Sweden international remains focused solely on joining Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta is keen to add a clinical striker to his squad after finishing ten points behind Liverpool last season and has made Gyokeres his top attacking target.
With the squad due to fly out to Asia for pre-season next week, Arsenal will now push to get the deal done before they depart.
Sporting, meanwhile, will head to the Algarve without their top scorer and, seemingly, without a resolution in sight.
The post Absent striker: Arsenal target's bold move to 'break' stalemate first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.