Arsenal ‘close in on Viktor Gyokeres transfer’ – as they ‘agree personal terms with Sporting Lisbon star, who only wants to join Gunners’

Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon with Mikel Arteta pushing to quickly wrap up the deal, reports claim.

The club has also reportedly agreed personal terms with the in-demand striker, who has made it clear he wants to move to the Emirates despite interest from Manchester United.

According to The Athletic, negotiations are ongoing over a transfer fee but Arsenal are edging closer to landing the frontman, who scored 54 goals last season.

Gyokeres is expected to put pen to paper on a five-year deal once a bid is accepted, with Sporting said to be holding out for a total package worth just under £70million.

United head coach Ruben Amorim had looked to reunite with the Swedish ace this summer but he was informed last month that his target only wanted to join Arsenal. 

The development comes shortly before Arteta’s side return for pre-season training. As reported by Mail Sport, he had been keen to sign a new striker before his squad jets out to Singapore on July 19 to begin their tour of Asia.

Gyokeres only wanted to join the Gunners and snubbed interest from Manchester United

Mikel Arteta was keen to accelerate negotiations for a new frontman ahead of pre-season

Sporting were reportedly concerned Gyokeres would follow through on his threat to go on strike instead of returning for pre-season training next week, but the situation now looks to be reaching a head after Arsenal held new talks over the weekend.

An irritated Gyokeres had accused Sporting of rowing back on an agreement to let him leave for £60m, to which club president Frederico Varandas said he had received no offers and vowed he would not succumb to ‘blackmails and insults’.

The forward scored an incredible 97 goals in 102 games over the past two seasons in Portugal and is under contract until 2028. He pushed back on lucrative approaches from Saudi Pro League sides Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah earlier this summer.

Gyokeres was also on Juventus’ radar but the Serie A giants have missed out, too. 

Initially, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko looked to be Arsenal’s primary target at No 9 but attention has shifted to Gyokeres. Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins was also considered.

Arsenal also hold an interest in Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze and Rodrygo of Real Madrid, while they have been linked with Chelsea’s Noni Madueke in recent days.  

Arteta was forced to rely on a makeshift striker in Mikel Merino after injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus left him without a recognised striker for much of last season, and he made the arrival of a new frontman a priority in this window.

Sporting director Andrea Berta has been busy since replacing Edu, sealing deals for Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. The latter was on the radars of both Real Madrid and Manchester City.

RB Leipzig ace Benjamin Sesko was also on Arsenal’s shortlist this summer

Martin Zubimendi has arrived at the Emirates in a £51million deal from Real Sociedad

Head coach Arteta promised a big window and other forwards are also on his radar

Speaking last season, Arteta ‘promised’ a big summer of spending.

‘Now we want to increase the depth of the squad, but as well we want to increase the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step,’ he said. 

‘It’s going to be a big one and we are very excited about it.’

Gyokeres moved to England in 2017-18 when he joined Brighton, but he made just eight appearances for the club, scoring one goal.

He spent loan spells at St Pauli and Swansea before switching to Coventry, initially on a loan deal, where he scored 43 goals over two-and-a-half seasons.