Well, that didn’t take long.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon have agreed a deal for the transfer of Viktor Gyokeres.
Just 24 hours after Sporting were threatening to play hardball, it’s now reported they’ve accepted an offer of €63.5 million (£54.8m) plus €10 million (£8.6m) in add-ons.
All being well, the 27-year-old Sweden international is expected to travel to England next week to complete a medical, with the aim of joining up with his new teammates in time for the pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong.
Having played a key role in back-to-back title wins for Sporting, Gyokeres had hoped to leave on good terms. However, frustration at what he saw as the club going back on a gentleman’s agreement over his valuation led to him effectively going on strike.
It appears the decision by his representatives to waive their fee proved decisive in breaking the deadlock.
Gyokeres will become Arsenal’s fifth summer signing, following the arrivals of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke. The latter underwent a medical in London over the weekend and is expected to be confirmed as a new signing in the next 72 hours.
The Gunners are also working on a deal for Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera and have made an enquiry for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.