Although three bodies are already in the door for Arsenal, their summer transfer window continues, but with an added hint of controversy and drama. With Noni Madueke causing upset among the Gunners fanbase, another potentially Emirates Stadium-bound player, Viktor Gyokeres, is causing his own sort of chaos. Refusing to turn up for training until a move away from Sporting CP has been finalised, the president of the Portuguese club has come out and made a scathing statement against the striker.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have long needed bodies in the door, with a lack of depth due to injuries being a consistent factor in their runners-up finishes. Hoping to cure their depth issues with the arrivals of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard, as well as outstanding midfielder Martin Zubimendi, their window rolls on with more money set to be spent.
With Noni Madueke next up to don the iconic red shirt and potentially a left-winger on the way, it appears Viktor Gyokeres could also soon be an Arsenal player. Causing a scene in Portugal over what he believes is a broken agreement between himself and the Sporting president, having failed to show up for pre-season, the president has spoken out against the Swedish-born talent.
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Gyokeres has long seemed a sure bet to leave in the summer transfer window, following a stellar season that saw the 27-year-old produce 66 goal contributions in 52 games. The club that he has allegedly set his sights on is Arsenal. A team in need of a striker, the deal, on paper, seemed to be one that would've been straightforward.
However, Gyokeres is claiming that a gentleman's agreement ahead of the window has been broken by Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas. Hoping to be sold at a certain price, Sporting are holding out for more than what Gyokeres believed, and the striker has since gone on strike, refusing to show up for the club's pre-season in the Algarve. Responding to the Swede's stunt, Varandas has publicly bashed the former Coventry man.
“If they don't want to pay Viktor's fair market value, we're very comfortable with that for the next three years. This strategy is also making it more complicated for the player to leave. Nobody is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are. We're calm. Everything will be resolved with the market closing, a hefty fine and an apology to the group”.
For Arsenal, they will be hoping the situation can be resolved quickly, with Mikel Arteta allegedly hoping to have a striker in the door as soon as possible. Having recently waxed lyrical about the likes of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in an interview with L'Équipe, it seems Gyokeres is just as eager for the move to reach a swift conclusion.
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