Sporting Lisbon are concerned Viktor Gyokeres will stick to his guns and go on strike tomorrow instead of returning for pre-season training, according to a report.
The in-demand striker will be expected to join his team-mates at the club’s headquarters to begin preparations for the next campaign, but he could look to force through a move to Arsenal by carrying out his threat not to report back.
Swedish ace Gyokeres is also on the shortlist of Manchester United but, as reported by Mail Sport, he would prefer to head to the Emirates this summer.
He has accused Sporting of rowing back on an agreement to let him leave for £60million and the club are now understood to be holding out for at least £68.5m – with £60m up front and the rest of the figure in achieveable bonuses.
The Sun claim Sporting president Frederico Varandas felt Gyokeres’ threat not to take part in pre-season was a bluff and the club hoped he would return to Lisbon on Sunday, allowing him to then link back up with the squad on Monday.
Gyokeres, who scored an incredible 97 goals in 102 games over the past two seasons for Sporting, was given extra time off after being called up for international duty.
Sporting Lisbon fear Viktor Gyokeres will go on strike instead of returning for pre-season
Gyokeres could snub training next week to force through his desired move to Arsenal
Mikel Arteta wants to sign a new frontman before the Gunners jet off for their tour of Asia
However, sources have told The Sun that Gyokeres is ‘increasingly unlikely’ to take part in training, such is his desire to pack his bags for the Premier League.
The ace, under contract until 2028, is angry over how his future has been handled.
Gyokeres, 27, has so far pushed back on lucrative approaches from Saudi Pro League sides Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah and is also on Juventus’ radar.
In a potential boost to Arsenal, Sporting look to have softened their stance over the frontman’s price tag, with a bid of just under £70m enough to seal the deal.
Mail Sport reported earlier this week that Mikel Arteta wants a new striker to be signed before Arsenal fly out to Singapore on July 19 for a pre-season tour of Asia.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is believed to be the Gunners’ No 1 target up front but both Gyokeres and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins remain in contention.
It has also emerged in recent days that Arsenal hold interest in Crystal Palace talisman Eberechi Eze and Real Madrid wideman Rodrygo.
Meanwhile, reports have indicated that personal terms have been agreed with Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, who has given the green light to join the Gunners.
