ARSENAL target Viktor Gyokeres has declared that he will not report for training or play for current club Sporting CP again as he’s chased by clubs around Europe.
The 27-year-old is required to join his team-mates on Saturday for pre-season training but has made clear his intentions to not return.
Gyokeres was already given extended leave from training during transfer talks, but missed his initial return date on Friday, according to reports from The Athletic.
The Swedish striker has been extensively linked with the Gunners since the beginning of the window.
Current club Sporting CP are thought to be holding out for a figure in the region of £69million including add-ons.
However, this figure has frustrated Gyokeres, who feels the club are betraying a pact with him that would have seen him depart should the club receive an offer worth £52million with £8million in add-ons.
Arsenal have produced offers in excess of this figure, yet the Portuguese Champions are yet to agree on a deal.
Arsenal are desperate to fill a gaping hole in their attack, which has been made worse by the injury troubles of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.
Mikel Arteta was forced to play midfielder Mikel Merino in the No9 spot for the latter stages of last season, including during Arsenal’s disappointing Champions League exit at the hands of PSG in May.
Arsenal’s top goalscorer in the league last season was Havertz, who netted just nine times for the North Londoners.
Gyokeres is a prolific scorer, having bagged himself 68 goals in 66 Liga Portugal appearances since arriving in Lisbon ahead of the 2023/24 season.
This form saw him rocket to the top of elite sides’ target list, being classed alongside striker prospects such as Benjamin Sesko and fellow Swede Alexander Isak.
Gyokeres is no stranger to the English game, having spent an unremarkable three-year stint with Brighton before making a name for himself with a stellar spell in the Championship with Coventry City.
He would be Arsenal’s fourth signing of the window after the arrivals of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea and Christian Norgaard from Brentford.
Arsenal are also edging closer to a deal for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.
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