Arsenal's hopes of finalising a move for Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres remain in limbo but there is an optimism in both camps that a deal could be thrashed out in the next couple of days. The Gunners, who have identified the Swedish striker as their top summer priority, believed they had made considerable progress over the weekend. However, the two sides find themselves in a deadlock over the payment structure of the transfer.
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Arsenal and Sporting yet to reach agreementClubs locked in negotiations over payment structureGyokeres has agreement on personal terms with GunnersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
As revealed by Sporting remain optimistic that a deal will eventually be ironed out, potentially within the next 24 hours. Although the Portuguese outletdid not elaborate on what exactly fuels the optimism, it is believed that Arsenal will ultimately back down, having already progressed so far in negotiations.
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Whileboth clubs have come to a general understanding over Gyokeres' valuation at €80 million (£69m/$94m), there remains a disaccord over how the fee should be split. Sporting are holding firm on their demand of €70m (£60m/$82m) paid upfront with an additional €10m (£8.6m/$12m) in performance-based add-ons. Arsenal, on the other hand, have tabled a counter-offer consisting of €65m (£56m/$76m) initially, with the remaining €15m (£13m/$17.5m) to be paid later.
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Gyokeres is reportedly desperate to make the move to north London and has agreed to all personal terms with Arsenal. He has been given an extension to his summer break and is expected to report to Sporting's pre-season on Friday – a situation that the goal-scorer wants to avoid as he hopes that his future will be sorted in the next couple of days.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
Gyokeres may be the headline pursuit, but Arsenal’s summer ambitions extend beyond just a new striker. The club continues to monitor several additional targets, including Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo. There is an increasing belief that the bulk of their dealings will be resolved before Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia. They are set to fly out on July 19 with their first fixture, a clash against AC Milan in Singapore, taking place on July 23.