Exclusive: Arsenal close on Viktor Gyokeres after ‘face-to-face talks’
Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres and are growing confident that a deal will be completed.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have told him about the 27-year-old’s future and the race to bring him to the Premier League.
Sources say the striker’s representatives were in Portugal this week for showdown talks with Sporting to try and thrash out an agreement over his exit.
With pre-season training set to start in the coming weeks, Gyokeres has threatened to go on strike after the club went back on a gentleman’s agreement over his fee.
Football Insider revealed on 1 July that Arsenal are still negotiating with Gyokeres as well as Benjamin Sesko, and will make their final decision based on the value of the deals.
They are now stepping up their efforts to land the Sweden international and hope to thrash out an agreement with his club in the near future.
Arsenal close in on Viktor Gyokeres after Man United twist
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 21 June that United have dropped their interest in Gyokeres after he made clear his desire to join Arsenal.
The forward had been a key target for Ruben Amorim’s side, while Liverpool were also linked with the move, but Arsenal have become the clear front-runners.
O’Rourke explained that optimism surrounding the deal has grown at the Emirates and there is now confidence they can get the deal over the line.
“My understanding is that his representatives were in Portugal for showdown talks with Sporting Lisbon to try and thrash this deal out,” he told Football Insider.
“There is a growing optimism from his side and from Arsenal that they can get it over the line.
“The Sweden international has been one of Arsenal’s top targets this summer.
“Gyokeres is the clear favourite now to make that move to the Emirates Stadium.
“There’s been a bit of an ongoing row between Gyokeres and Sporing in recent weeks.
“It’s been claimed he could go on strike because he feels they’ve gone back on a gentleman’s agreement to let him leave for below his release clause.
“No deal is done until it’s done, but there is a growing optimism Arsenal are finally going to get Gyokeres as their new number nine next season.
“It’s just a matter of trying to thrash out a fee with Sporting.
“It would be a huge signing for Arsenal because that’s an area that has been lacking under Arteta.”
Eberechi Eze update emerges at the Emirates
Gyokeres is not the only attacking player Arsenal have set their sights on this summer, as they continue to plot a move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
Football Insider revealed on 30 June that Arsenal are deciding whether to move for Eze after they enquired about his availability in this transfer window.
The FA Cup winning goal scorer has a £68million release clause in his contract at Selhurst Park and the Eagles are unwilling to let him go for less than that fee.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider in April that Arsenal “would love” to sign Eze as Arteta plans to add more drive and “X-factor” to his squad.
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