Arsenal’s proposed move for Viktor Gyokeres is at risk of falling through after the club’s latest talks with Sporting hit a ‘dead end’, according to reports in Portugal.
The Gunners appeared to have seen off fierce competition from Manchester United to win the race for Gyokeres, as one of this summer’s most talked-about transfer sagas looked to be drawing to a close.
After a bitter dispute between Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, and Sporting – over a supposed gentleman’s agreement – threatened to derail Arsenal’s pursuit, the Gunners had finally seemed to have made a major breakthrough in their attempts to lure the Swede to the Emirates.
The Portuguese champions had grown increasingly resigned to losing Gyokeres and Arsenal’s hierarchy were even said to preparing a medical for the prolific forward over the coming days.
But Record claim that while Arsenal’s discussions had been advancing at a pace and were indeed heading in the right direction, their deal is under threat of breaking down due to significant ‘funding discrepancies’.
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The report states that Arsenal and Gyokeres’ camp presented a deal that guaranteed Sporting a fixed sum of €70million (£60.8m) plus €10m (£6.95m) in add-ons. However, the dialogue between the three parties hit a roadblock on Monday and negotiations are ‘at risk of collapsing completely’.
It’s claimed the disagreement in question relates to proposed bonus fees. Sporting are demanding that the €10m bonus should include targets that are ‘easily attainable’ for Gyokeres, but Arsenal are ‘resisting this request’ as it stands.
The report stresses that ‘all scenarios are still open’ and a public intervention from Gyokeres’ entourage – or the player himself – could become a possibility in the coming hours.
Gyokeres is determined to north London and has already made it clear to Sporting bosses that he would be prepared to go on strike to force his departure.
At the weekend, Sporting president Frederico Varandas made clear his feelings on Arsenal’s attempts to prise Gyokeres away from their clutches.
‘If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think this puts pressure on me to facilitate an exit, they are not only completely wrong, but are also making the player’s exit conditions even more complicated,’ an agitated Varandas said.
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‘No one is above the interests of the club, whoever they are.
‘If they don’t want to pay for Viktor fair market value, we are perfectly comfortable with this for the next three years [the time left on Gyokeres’ contract].
‘We are calm about all this. Everything can be resolved with a market closure, a heavy fine, and an apology to the group.’
Reports last month claimed Gyokeres had told close friends and family that he expects to be playing for Arsenal next season, with the Sweden international keen for another spell in English football.
Gyokeres scored 40 goals in 97 appearances for Championship outfit Coventry City before joining Sporting for a club-record €20m (£17.4m) fee two years ago.
In that time, Gyokeres has netted 97 times in 102 games for Sporting to help the club win two Primeira Liga titles and last season’s Portuguese Cup.
Gyokeres’ current contract in Lisbon runs through to June 2028.
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