Arsenal close on Viktor Gyokeres transfer and final agreement after Sporting Lisbon decision

Arsenal are now close to a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres after advancing in talks with Sporting Lisbon. They have granted the striker additional time off as they seek to resolve his future and seal a deal taking him to the Premier League.

Gyokeres, 27, has been linked with a whole host of Europe's elite off the back of another stellar season with Sporting. But Arsenal has been and remains the Swede's preferred destination, with the Gunners in the market for a quality No.9 this summer.

Arsenal have also been working on a deal for Benjamin Sesko; another long-term target. And he had been their main striking choice earlier in the summer.

But sporting director Andrea Berta has a reputation for advancing on moves simultaneously and has been doing that with both strikers in recent months. Recently, the decision was made among the Emirates top brass to make a move for Gyokeres the priorityand a deal is finally close.

While the two clubs have yet to agree on a fee, it's understood that Arsenal and Gyokeres have already struck an agreement on personal terms. And with the player prioritising a move to Arsenal over all other suitors, it now looks extremely likely that a deal will be done.

READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal close in on Gyokeres after announcing huge deal, Man Utd eye shock move

READ MORE: Viktor Gyokeres sees Sporting Lisbon take action after Arsenal transfer target's 'strike' threat

Mirror Football outlined earlier this weekend that Gyokeres had been granted four additional days of leave by Sporting, whose players return for pre-season on Monday.

That follows a threat of strike action from Gyokeres, who has been left frustrated by the club's stance over a sale this summer.

It effectively hands Arsenal four days to get everything done and dusted - otherwise Sporting will demand the Swede returns to pre-season training in the Algarve on Friday.

Gyokeres scored 54 goals in 52 games for the Portuguese champions last season and was always expected to move on ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. However, talk of a gentleman's agreement with the player's representatives that he could leave for around £51.8m plus add-ons was shot down by Sporting's president, Frederico Varandas.

Sporting are understood to want around £69m for their striker: a sum which would make Gyokeres the most expensive Swedish player in history if Arsenal were to meet those demands. It is likely the parties will reach a compromise.

News of a breakthrough in talks for Gyokeres comes hot on the heels of Martin Zubimendi being officially unveiled as an Arsenal player on Sunday. Mikel Arteta is said to be pushing for a swift conclusion to the club's striker search with his team set to return for pre-season soon.

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