Arsenal transfer news: Man Utd attempt to hijack Viktor Gyokeres deal

Arsenal have headed off on their pre-season tour of south east Asia without Viktor Gyokeres - and now Manchester United are trying to muscle in on their deal for the Sporting striker

Arsenal are focusing on two more deals after wrapping up four transfers in the summer window so far.

The Gunners completed the signing of Noni Madueke in a £52million transfer from Chelsea on Friday as Mikel Arteta got his way in the transfer market. Madueke’s arrival followed those of Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard and took their spending to around £134m for the summer.

Finishing second in the Premier League three times in succession means that Arsenal know they need significant strengthening this summer. And that means sporting director Andrea Berta remains an extremely busy man.

His focus is currently on getting the transfer of Viktor Gyokeres over the line, while the announcement of Cristhian Mosquera is just around the corner. Mosquera is in the bag, with Arsenal simply awaiting confirmation from La Liga, but Gyokeres is a different story. Here are the latest stories concerning the Gunners.

Man Utd bid for Gyokeres

Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon verbally agreed a deal in principle for Gyokeres last weekend, but they have so far failed to yield a full agreement. And that could prove costly if reports from Portugal are true.

SIC says Arsenal’s deal is ‘increasingly at risk’. They say the fixed offer set at €63.5m (£55m), which rises to €70m (£60m) is not acceptable for Sporting, who have now received another bidder.

United have thrown a cat amongst the pigeons by offering €70-80million (£60-69m).Record says that Gyokeres – who played under Ruben Amorim at Sporting – still only wants to join Arsenal, however. But with Sporting president Federico Varandas chasing the best deal, it could be telling.

Legal letter issued

Things have become increasingly bitter between Gyokeres and Sporting. The Swedish striker is on strike, refusing to report for pre-season training and is convinced he had a gentleman’s agreement with the club for a transfer this summer.

Sporting have begun legal proceedings against their own player over his continued no-show at the training ground. And now Gyokeres has responded with a legal letter in which he doubles down on his promise never to play for the club again and fires back at Varandas over his refusal to make good on this apparent agreement.

Eze alternative identified

Arsenal could turn to RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons as a cheaper alternative for Ebererchi Eze, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Gunners are one of the sides interested in signing Crystal Palace star Eze, but he is valued at £68m by the south London side.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said Arsenal and Chelsea both contacted Leipzig in June to discuss Simons, who previously played alongside Madueke at PSV Eindhoven.

There has been no further contact and Romano believes that Arsenal will focus on selling players like Reiss Nelson before pursuing a deal for Eze or Simons.