Arsenal are reportedly close to completing a deal for Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres after months of speculation over whether or not they would sign a striker.
The Athletic reported the breakthrough on Sunday afternoon in news that will come as a huge boost to Gunners fans ahead of the new season.
The publication noted how talks over Gyokeres’ switch from Lisbon to north London had been elongated by Sporting president Frederico Varandas holding out for a fee in excess of €70million, including add-ons.
However, Arsenal now appear to have met a valuation in excess of that number that paves the way for Gyokeres to move to the Emirates Stadium.
That would come as a boost to Mikel Arteta, who appears keen to settle in his new signings before the start of the Premier League season.
Gyokeres, 27, failed to report for the club’s pre-season training this week, despite Sporting having granted him an extended summer break until Saturday, July 12.
Arsenal are reportedly inching closer to signing Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres scored 54 goals for Sporting last term across all competitions, and is rated as one of the most prolific forwards in Europe.
The former Coventry City and Brighton striker currently has three years still remaining on his contract with the Portuguese giants, though it appears unlikely in the extreme that he will be seeing out those terms as things stand.
Since making a £20m switch from Coventry to Sporting in 2023, Gyokeres has gone on a remarkable scoring spree in Portugal, netting 97 times in just 102 appearances across two seasons.
Gyokeres scored 43 goals for Coventry in his two and a half seasons, but never got to suit up in the Premier League for Brighton.
He has previously spoken of his desire to return to the English top flight, to get revenge for his empty spell with the Seagulls.
