Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon have been locked in talks over a deal for Viktor Gyokeres but after failing to agree a fee over the weekend there is now hope an agreement can be struck
Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal are still trying to thrash out a deal for Viktor Gyokeres
(Image: Diogo Cardoso)
Arsenal are willing to alter the structure of their offer for Viktor Gyokeres to move closer to Sporting Lisbon's demands and avoid missing out on a deal for the prolific Sweden international.
The Gunners' pursuit of a new No 9 has been the talk of the summer transfer window with interest in both Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko. But it is Gyokeres, 27, who has emerged as the club's primary target and face-to-face talks over a deal were held with Sporting in Portugal late last week.
Those talks failed to yield an agreement, though, sparking fears that Arsenal's move for Gyokeres could collapse entirely.
But a new report from Abola claims that Arsenal are ready to be flexible with the make-up of their €80million (£68.9m) offer for Gyokeres, which previously consisted of a base fee of €65m (£56m) plus a further €15m (£12.9m) in add-ons.
While €80m is the golden number Sporting want for their star striker, they were not willing to accept those payment terms.
It's outlined that Sporting would accept €70m (£60.3m) plus €10m (£8.6m) to sell Gyokeres: terms which Arsenal are now seemingly willing to get closer to in the hope of striking a deal.
The Gunners are reportedly preparing to come back to the table before Friday, which is when Gyokeres is scheduled to return to pre-season training with Sporting after being granted some additional leave.
Gyokeres himself is said to be 'fearing the worst' after an Arsenal delegation including Andrea Berta, the club's sporting director, flew back from Portugal without an agreement in place for the player's transfer.
Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres is said to be 'fearing the worst' after Arsenal and Sporting failed to agree a fee in face-to-face talks
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It has been well documented that the former Coventry City and Brighton man has his heart set on a move to Arsenal this summer and Gyokeres is understood to have informed Sporting of his desire to move.
It had been claimed that Arsenal were prepared to walk away from negotiations after their failure to strike a deal in Portugal.
Gyokeres plundered a remarkable 54 goals for Sporting last season and is seen as the No 9 who can help Arsenal capture their first Premier League title in more than 20 years by Mikel Arteta and the club's top brass, who are also pursuing further additions including an elite left winger ahead of the upcoming 2025-26 campaign.
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