Arsenal’s hope of signing Viktor Gyokeres this summer has hit a stumbling block as Sporting Lisbon impose a “cooling off” period over talks with the Premier League side.
Viktor Gyokeres has become Arsenal’s number one target this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to get a new striker over the line, but talks with Sporting Lisbon have proven difficult – with both parties failing to agree a fee
Sporting Lisbon have now taken a new step as the Portuguese club decided to put talks on hold earlier this week after failing to reach an agreement for the Swedish striker, who is pushing hard to join Arsenal.
Arsenal made huge progress last weekend and know that 27-year-old Gyokeres is determined to move to the Emirates and personal terms will not be an issue.
But Sporting president Frederico Varandas has been adamant that there is no gentleman’s agreement allowing him to leave – and they are determined to stand firm on the price.
Gyokeres has made it clear he does not want to return to Sporting in a further stand-off but talks are being seen as drawn out rather than stalled. As things stand, there is still huge optimism that the deal will get done for Gyokeres to become Arsenal’s new No9.
The ex-Coventry and Brighton striker Gyokeres left English football to become a huge hit in Portugal where he scored 97 goals in 102 appearances. Arsenal believe he can score the goals to be a hit in English football and they are pushing hard to get business done before they jet off on their preseason tour.
The Gunners are active in the transfer window as they’ve announced Brentford’s Christian Norgaard in a £12m deal, Arsenal have also completed a deal on keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and are talking to Chelsea after making a £40m-plus for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke.
