Star striker Viktor Gyokeres is at the centre of a dispute with Sporting CP over his future, and tensions are reportedly reaching breaking point as the ex-Coventry City forward sets his sights on a return to England with Arsenal.
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The Gunners are still searching attacking reinforcements.
Credible media sources have claimed in the past few weeks that new sporting director Andrea Berta has been working on simultaneous deals for both Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, before deciding which move would be best suited to Mikel Arteta's side.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) Money on new signings
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19/20 - winter £0
20/21 - summer £81.5m
20/21 - winter £900k
21/22 - summer £156.8m
21/22 - winter £1.8m
22/23 - summer £121.5m
22/23 - winter £59m
23/24 - summer £208m
23/24 - winter £0
24/25 - summer £101.5m
24/25 - winter £0
However, as yet, neither striker is any closer to joining Arsenal, despite their eagerness to embark on a Premier League switch.
Sesko is allegedly keen on joining Arsenal, and talks remain ongoing between all parties over a potential deal, while Fabrizio Romano has reported that a move to N5 is Gyokeres' priority.
The latter had thought that he could leave for around £60 million before deadline day on September 1, but Sporting president, Frederico Varandas, publicly denied this recently.
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"I see the agent in the press releasing information. I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has common sense and keeps its word," said Varandas last month.
"Gyokeres scored 63 goals and 10 assists. Fantastic performance. Certainly one of the best players to have ever stepped onto Portuguese turf. And Sporting will not demand the clause.
"Now blackmail and insults, Sporting will not accept. One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept 60 million plus 10. As of today, Sporting has not received any proposal for Gyokeres."
Since then, Varandas has taken another swipe at Gyokeres' agent, and the striker is becoming deeply frustrated by these statements, as explained by an update from Portuguese newspaper Record this week.
The threat Viktor Gyokeres has made via text as he pushes to join Arsenal
The outlet, via Sport Witness, explains that Gyokeres really wants to join Arsenal, and he's worried that Sporting's demand of £68 million could put his dream move to the Emirates in jeopardy - with Arteta's side refusing to match it as things stand.
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Record claims to have access to text messages exchanged between the 27-year-old and Varandas, with Gyokeres threatening to speak to the media himself if a move away carries on being derailed.
During this conversation with Sporting's president, it was also claimed that Gyokeres made a decision not to turn up for his pre-season duties, which could really escalate the situation further.
This standoff represents more than just your run-of-the-mill negotiation. For Gyokeres, it's about securing what he sees as his rightful opportunity to compete at the highest level with Arsenal. For Sporting and Varandas, it's about maximizing the return on their prized asset while maintaining credibility in future negotiations.
This story is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing transfer tales of this entire window, and if things don't take a positive turn, Arsenal could be forced to look elsewhere in their pursuit of a prolific new striker.