Viktor Gyokeres has pleaded with Sporting CP to sell him to Arsenal and vowed not to return to the club until a deal is done.
Arsenal have explored a deal to sign the Sweden international and are leading the race to secure his services should they opt for him over Benjamin Sesko, their other leading transfer target up front.
Gyokeres scored 54 goals in 52 appearances to lead Sporting to a domestic double last season but his relationship with the club has turned toxic in recent weeks.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas has denied the existence of a gentleman’s agreement to let him leave the club for €60m plus €10m (£50m plus £8m) in add-ons.
It has sparked a bitter feud between Sporting and Gyokeres’ agent Hasan Cetinkaya which has threatened to derail his dream summer move.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
Record now report Gyokeres has taken matters into his own hands with a direct phone call to Varandas, insisting he must leave Sporting in the coming weeks.
The 26-year-old has argued Sporting stand to make a considerable profit on the €24m they paid Coventry City to sign him two years ago.
The report states the Swede told Varandas he ‘does not want and will not’ return to the club with a source telling the newspaper ‘Gyokeres will never forgive those responsible’ if he fails to secure a move to north London.
Sporting players are scheduled to return to the club for pre-season training next week.
Gyokeres has already informed friends and family that he expects to join Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of the new season having turned down approaches from Manchester United and Juventus.
Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, met with Sporting officials earlier this month to discuss a deal.
Arsenal’s initial proposal worth an €55m (£46.8m) plus a further €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons was rejected.
Gyokeres has a release clause of €100m but Sporting have repeatedly insisting they will not ask for that amount.
Arsenal meanwhile have also been in talks with RB Leipzig over a deal for Sesko. The Slovenia international is thought to be Arteta’s preferred choice out of the two but there has still been no breakthrough with the German side who are asking for a fee of up to €100m.
Recent reports also suggested excessive demands from the striker’s camp have left the Gunners prepared to walk away from the deal.