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Berta is locked in negotiations | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal are said to be locked in intense negotiations over their ideal striker signing.
Gyokeres will be the cheaper of the two, and the Gunners are reportedly going all out for a deal, with key staff members currently staying in Portugal as they look to thrash out a deal. Sporting have taken a tough approach, though, and they want £60.4million in guaranteed money plus add-ons, according to reports, which is a little more than the Gunners are currently offering.
Providing an update on the situation, Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel: “Negotiations continue in Portugal for Viktor Gyokeres. All the most important people involved in the negotiations in this Gyokeres saga remain in Portugal to try to strike a deal as soon as possible. On Sunday, Arsenal hoped to close the deal very quickly, but that was not possible because Sporting president Federico Varandas insisted on having 70 million euros guaranteed plus addons. Arsenal were offering 65million euros plus add-ons. For Sporting, it's not just about the money, they want to show how firm they are in negotiations.
“On the other side, I can guarantee to you that the leaks around the story were not helping, with each party doing their game, and the situation got quite tense on Sunday night. Then on Monday, they restarted Negotiations and today they continue. Any hour could be the hour for Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal. Arsenal keep trying to advance on this one, and on the structure of this deal, on the add-ons, how to activate it. Arsenal keep their optimism and their confidence to sign Viktor Gyokeres.
“What I told you on Sunday tonight, yesterday and today is that Gyokeres is giving it his best effort. What I can add today is that, as a detail, Viktor Gyokeres also sent some private personal messages to the president, so he is not only talking to the directors and the management. He is asking to go to Arsenal. He is doing everything and even gave up 2million on his package to go towards the proposal to help Arsenal. Sporting are being very strong and tough in negotiations, but Gyokeres is being very strong with Sporting. Forget about him going back to training, forget about him going back to playing football for Sporting. he wants to play for Arsenal. Talks are continuing and any moment could be the moment.”
This feels like a deal that will be done, with only around £4.3million between the two teams as they look to strike an agreement. With the player desperate to make the move, the two clubs will surely come to an agreement that will allow Arsenal to find the payment terms they need and for Sporting to bring in that cash while also saving face as they look to change the perception that they are a selling club.
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