Arsenal are thought to be falling at the final hurdle in their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres after going three days without communication with the Portuguese side, according to reports.
The north London club have been previously dogged in their desire to tempt the Sweden international to the Emirates in a bid to sharpen their attacking ranks.
Gyokeres is thought to have agreed pre-contract terms with the club and is himself keen on a move to the Premier League.
But Mail Sport reported on Wednesday that negotiations had stalled over a sticking point regarding the star's asking price.
Gyokeres believes that he has an honour agreement that allows him to leave the club for a fee of €60million, plus another €10m (£51.7m plus £8.6m).
However, despite Arsenal reportedly offering to pay €65m, plus a further €15m (£56m plus £12.9m), but the Portuguese club are now believed to be standing firm on a fixed €70m (£60.4m).
After talks came to a halt over the issue this weekend, as per Portuguese outlet A Bola, it has now been some time since the two parties have discussed the transfer.
The pause in proceedings could yet mean the worst for Mikel Arteta's side and for Gyokeres, who is reportedly so keen on a move to Arsenal that he is mulling not returning to pre-season training with the club in Alcochete on Friday.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta led the Arsenal delegation that flew to the Iberian peninsula for talks with the Primeira Liga side, alongside Gyokeres' agent Kenan Mert.
A Bola alleges that Mert has claimed that former sporting director Hugo Viana - who is now at Premier League rivals Manchester City - offered the player a guarantee that he would be able to leave Sporting during this summer's window.
The impasse could be concerning for the Gunners, with the deal looking increasingly challenging to get over the line.
The former Coventry City and Brighton striker currently has three years still remaining on his contract with the Portuguese giants, though it appears unlikely in the extreme that he will be seeing out those terms as things stand.
The Swedish international scored a staggering 54 goals for the Portuguese giants last term across all competitions.
The Gunners have already signed midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for £60m, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5m, and reportedly completed a £12m move for Brentford captain Christian Norgaard.
They are also poised to make an offer for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, and have been linked with Crystal Palace talisman Eberechi Eze.
vaino04
1
👍👍👍
vuaabdipu
0
The one who calls first loses It's just a negotiation strategy
PattyMwajalizah
0
As a die-hard Arsenal fan, this Gyökeres situation is painful to watch. We’ve gone from full hope to complete silence in just a matter of days. The fact that Arsenal and Sporting haven’t spoken for three days shows how much the deal is slipping away and it honestly feels like we’re falling at the final hurdle. We’ve all seen what Viktor Gyökeres brings: raw power, consistent goals, incredible work rate, and the right mentality. 54 goals last season? That’s not a joke. That’s exactly what we need at the top of the pitch. The worst part is, the player wants the move. He’s agreed personal terms, he’s pushing from his side, and now there are even reports that he might skip pre-season training. That alone says it all. He’s ready. He believes he has an agreement to leave for €60m + €10m and Arsenal have even offered €65m + €15m, which should’ve been enough. But Sporting are now standing firm on €70m straight up. It’s frustrating, because this doesn’t feel like we’re losing him due to lack of effort or ambition just pure negotiation deadlock. We’ve spent money elsewhere this window Zubimendi, Kepa, Norgaard and those are decent signings, but none of them solve our biggest need: a clinical, dominant No.9. We can’t keep relying on Jesus or Nketiah and expect to win the Premier League. We need that cutting edge. And Gyökeres could’ve been that guy. I really hope this silence between the clubs is just a pause, not the end. Because missing out on him could haunt us. If there’s any way to restart talks and make the deal happen, I pray the board finds a way. If not, we need to move quickly for an alternative someone with real quality and goal threat. Arteta’s project is almost complete. We have the defense, the midfield, the style now we just need the killer instinct up front. Whether it’s Gyökeres or someone else, this position must be fixed. We’ve come too far to fall short now. COYG. 🔴⚪🔥
am sure the will happen but realised the situation thats why they want to bully sporting.. the sporting president knows Arsenal are taking advantage of the situation... but am 100% sure it shall happen
NWOSE
0
My question is why is Arsenal paying that 50M for Noni and yet find it difficult to get a lethal striker for 80M ? The combined price of Sesko and Gyokores is just slightly above what Liverpool paid for Wirtz. I don't understand Arsenal anymore or is it that we are clueless or don't understand that proven strikers don't come cheap in today's football market? We have not departed from this Wenger attitude even after Wenger's departure.
NWOSE
0
We are tired of this news 😔
dusbiklnpt
1
Arsenal is great club that can survive with Gyiokeres.Let t club look elsewhere.
Ozilkevin
0
it's now clear to gyokeres that arsenal is not worth dying for.they can disappoint you at any fucking time.
arsenal has no problem, sporting are stubborn, they knew we are desperate for a striker that's why they are taking the advantage
Susdmtuz
0
why not balance them the 5m an give the rest he really wants he has worked so hard to make this deal don why not help him secure it
yeeceprtz
1
we have lost Suarez for 1 million before when he was in Liverpool before joining Barça 🤣
yeeceprtz
0
They are our ex we are in no contact stage 🤣
Jokerak
1
As a die-hard Arsenal fan, this Gyökeres situation is painful to watch. We’ve gone from full hope to complete silence in just a matter of days. The fact that Arsenal and Sporting haven’t spoken for three days shows how much the deal is slipping away and it honestly feels like we’re falling at the final hurdle. We’ve all seen what Viktor Gyökeres brings: raw power, consistent goals, incredible work rate, and the right mentality. 54 goals last season? That’s not a joke. That’s exactly what we need at the top of the pitch. The worst part is, the player wants the move. He’s agreed personal terms, he’s pushing from his side, and now there are even reports that he might skip pre-season training. That alone says it all. He’s ready. He believes he has an agreement to leave for €60m + €10m and Arsenal have even offered €65m + €15m, which should’ve been enough. But Sporting are now standing firm on €70m straight up. It’s frustrating, because this doesn’t feel like we’re losing him due to lack of effort or ambition just pure negotiation deadlock. We’ve spent money elsewhere this window Zubimendi, Kepa, Norgaard and those are decent signings, but none of them solve our biggest need: a clinical, dominant No.9. We can’t keep relying on Jesus or Nketiah and expect to win the Premier League. We need that cutting edge. And Gyökeres could’ve been that guy. I really hope this silence between the clubs is just a pause, not the end. Because missing out on him could haunt us. If there’s any way to restart talks and make the deal happen, I pray the board finds a way. If not, we need to move quickly for an alternative someone with real quality and goal threat. Arteta’s project is almost complete. We have the defense, the midfield, the style now we just need the killer instinct up front. Whether it’s Gyökeres or someone else, this position must be fixed. We’ve come too far to fall short now. COYG. 🔴⚪🔥
divadasekew
0
Is Sporting Lisbon a girl that must be spoken to every day? What kind of primitive reporting is this?
divadasekew
0
Is Sporting Lisbon that must be spoken to every day? What kind of stupid reporting is this?
Daaabeikot
3
Arteta is a pretender. He doesn't want Gyokeres. He prefers Sesko., that's why the deal is so hard to get through. Look at Zubimendi, his release clause was 55 million and was increased to 65 million. Without any hesitation, Arteta approved the deal.
Sescdloty
2
please get him for us we need him and the trophy please
ultimategooner
2
it's now clear to gyokeres that arsenal is not worth dying for.they can disappoint you at any fucking time.
kokaimpr
0
gyokeres is very stupid , if he had dreams , confidence on himself why he signed such long deal with that Portuguese team considering his age that was stupid decision. arsenal doing great let sporting bring the price down or ignore . gyokeres is 27 played tier 2 world leage , 80 m is too much ...bring eze /valhovic or send scout to africa latin america for unknown wonderkid
Chimzy619
1
Other clubs are spending big money for average players. Chelsea bought Jao Pedro for 60m, Newcastle bought Elanga for 50m but arsenal is struggling to buy a potential golden boot winner valued at $70m. What a club !
Depcdesuy
2
gyokeres is very stupid , if he had dreams , confidence on himself why he signed such long deal with that Portuguese team considering his age that was stupid decision. arsenal doing great let sporting bring the price down or ignore . gyokeres is 27 played tier 2 world leage , 80 m is too much ...bring eze /valhovic or send scout to africa latin america for unknown wonderkid
Vawbmnrst
0
stupid motherfukers,u want to mis that guy fo a mere 5m en you go sign a 30y/o player en want to sign a Chelsea reject
Hocbmortu
0
Just pay up for Gyokeres and cancel the idea of signing Madueke,#NoToMadueke
Arteta is one of the most useless coach I have ever seen
Hocbmortu
0
very stupid club, stupid coach, stupid Andrea Berta
peaceofmind
0
No worry they will sign Jackson from Chelsea 🙄🙄🙄🙄 useless board
peaceofmind
0
They are keeping malice in negotiations 😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
ColinsGooner
1
Just pay up for Gyokeres and cancel the idea of signing Madueke,#NoToMadueke
Tipeiklnpr
0
This is the right Arsenal we all know they can't sign big names
Roklmnpts
0
What if they buy expensive but never perform in his new club.. league he play is not like EPL very tough
resabekpst
2
Forget Gyokeres and Sesko and Maduelke . Get Etitike:— Eze:—- Mosquera. Sell:-Zinchenko, Trossaud-:Viera.-: Lokonga. :- Nelson, Kiwior is debatable. If he doesn’t play much is value wll drop by 50 percent.
Wihaeituy
0
They will iss this be again No striker in view Noni who is not Chelsea top rated Arsenal aren’t serious about winning the premiership Fae club
hatclotyz
1
They are keeping malice in negotiations 😂😂😂
Gun1
4
I sense Arsenal might end up signing an average player again.