On Monday, we covered the latest [Viktor Gyökeres to Arsenal claims](https://sportwitness.co.uk/viktor-gyokeres-latest-from-portugal-as-arsenal-hit-magic-number/) in the Portuguese media, with the Gunners now taking a step forward to try and get a deal done.
Following a meeting three weeks ago in Menorca, when the Gunners transmitted what they’d initially be prepared to offer, and the agent strife since then, Arsenal made it known they’re prepared to pay €65m plus a potential €15m in bonus payments.
Sporting meanwhile were said to be holding out for a €70m fixed fee, with a further €10m in bonus payments.
Tuesday’s edition of [Record](http://record.pt) brings more drama from the Gyökeres camp, with the Portuguese newspaper stating: _‘The Swede hopes that the deal with Arsenal will be closed in the next few hours but is already prepared for the worst. He does not want to return to the club and admits he could force a loan at the end of the market.’_
This will almost certainly be being transmitted to Record by those representing the player, so how much of it is his true stance and how much is just a dance to try and threaten Sporting is unclear.
Record go on to say the Sweden international has no intention to turn up to pre-season training on Friday and won’t play for Sporting again _‘regardless of what happens with his transfer process’._
According to Record, Gyökeres and his agent responded to Arsenal’s latest attempt being knocked back by starting to explore other options, such as sitting tight and then pushing for a loan at the end of the window.
Apparently such a loan would copy the Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray formula of last summer, and Fenerbahçe have positioned themselves.
Record then state: _‘This is still a distant horizon and may never become a reality, but it is being considered behind the scenes. Even though a final rapprochement between Arsenal and Sporting seems to be just a short distance away, Gyökeres is prepared for the worst.’_
In all honesty it all feels like the latest harebrained idea to pressure Sporting, and something which will provoke not much more than laughter in Lisbon.