ARSENAL’S scramble to sign striker Viktor Gyokeres before their pre-season tour has hit a major roadblock.
The Gunners board have failed to agree a fee that will hand Mikel Arteta his desired striker ahead of their trip to Asia.
The North Londoners have been in hot pursuit of Sporting Lisbon’s Swedish hitman, but despite reports of a £55million deal being close, with £7.4m in add-ons, it seems the move won’t be sealed in time.
According to the Daily Mail Gyokeres was expected to be part of the squad flying out to Asia on Saturday but the 27-year-old is staying put in Sweden, leaving Arteta’s plans in disarray.
The report further suggests the hold up is all down to a messy stand-off between the two clubs over the structure of the deal.
Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon are reportedly still at loggerheads over bonus payments, instalment schedules, and even the minor details like solidarity contributions and training compensation.
Arsenal had hoped to get everything wrapped up before their pre-season campaign kicks off next Wednesday.
But it now looks like Gyokeres won’t be joining the squad for their tour of Singapore and Hong Kong.
During their tour, the Gunners will face AC Milan and Newcastle, followed by a North London derby against rivals Tottenham.
If the deal gets over the line, Gyokeres could be in line to make his Arsenal debut in their first post-tour match on August 6 against Villarreal.
The Gunners’ hunt for a top striker has dragged on for months, and Gyokeres was meant to be the answer.
The striker has been on fire in Portugal, bagging 39 league goals last season and has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.
Having moved to Sporting from Coventry for £20m in the summer of 2023, Gyokeres would leave with two league titles and a Portuguese Cup under his belt.
But he’s long dreamed of returning to the Premier League after his frustrating spell at Brighton, where he failed to make much of an impact.
As he once said, “It would be a great revenge” to prove himself in England after his underwhelming time with the Seagulls.
In some more transfer news, Arsenal confirmed the shock signing of Noni Madueke from Chelsea.
The England international is the club’s fourth signing of the window, following Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to the Emirates for a combined £70.8m.
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