Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly pleaded with Sporting CP's president over the phone in an effort to force through his Arsenal transfer.
The Swedish striker has been heavily linked with the Gunners in recent months and has now told the Portuguese champions that he has no intention of returning to the club ahead of the 2025/26 season.
With Sporting set to resume training after their summer break in a week’s time, Gyokeres remains desperate to become an Arsenal player, having made it clear that the Emirates Stadium is where he wants to play his football next season.
According to Portuguese publication Record, the 27-year-old, whose agent has already met with Arsenal's sporting director Andrea Berta, took the initiative to call Sporting president Federico Varandas directly.
Gyokeres reportedly insisted during that conversation that he won't play another match for Sporting, having played a pivotal role in their recent double-winning season. He made it very clear that he wants the move to north London this summer at all costs.
Gyokeres is claimed to have said he would "never forgive" Sporting's bosses if they get in the way of his potential move to Arsenal, as he recognises such an opportunity might not arise again due to his age.
The prolific forward reportedly also told Varandas that he's given his all for Sporting and if they accept a £60m (€70m consisting of €60m plus €10m in bonuses) offer, it would be significantly more than what they paid Coventry City two years ago.
However, Varandas has already made it clear that the club won't be 'blackmailed' into selling their star player on the cheap. Despite Gyokeres' agent, Hassan Cetinkaya, claiming that he had a gentleman's agreement from last summer for Sporting to let the player leave for less than his £84m release clause, the club are under no obligation to do so.
Benjamin Sesko of Leipzig celebrates his goal during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern MÃ1⁄4nchen at Red Bull Arena on May 03, 2025
Benjamin Sesko is Arsenal's first-choice striker signing (Image: Getty Images)
And no team has tabled a £60m offer for Gyokeres as of yet. Reports from Portugal suggest Arsenal's offer, which wasn't an official bid, was around £51m (€50m plus €10m).
That could be due to Gunners manager Mikel Arteta's preference for another target, RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, whose potential arrival at the Emirates this summer would scupper Gyokeres' dream move.
BBC Sport reported earlier this month that a move for Sesko has "near universal backing" at Arsenal. However, the Slovenian's transfer would be a pricier package overall compared to Gyokeres'.
The Sun reported last week that the Gunners are currently at a standstill with Sesko's camp and are growing frustrated due to his high wage demands. It's claimed that despite agreeing to match Leipzig's £70m asking price, Arsenal may withdraw from a deal for the 22-year-old.
Gyokeres understands that he isn't Arteta's first pick but he's pulling out all the stops to ensure his transfer to Arsenal goes ahead, even reportedly threatening to strike. If Sesko's move falls through, the Sweden international expects to become the striker Arsenal have long been searching for.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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