Viktor Gyokeres' Arsenal transfer stance amid Sporting CP pre-season training standoff

Arsenal are currently pushing, trying to create a breakthrough in negotiations that will allow Viktor Gyokeres to complete a transfer from Sporting CP, it has been claimed.

The Gunners' summer transfer window has kickstarted with the arrivals of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, so now a new striker is top of Mikel Arteta's wishlist.

After much deliberation, last week Gyokeres was finally landed upon as the top target, as the club decided to walk away from a deal for RB Leipzig forward Benajmin Sesko. Sporting director Andrea Berta has spearheaded the charge to strike an agreement with his counterparts in Lisbon, who have kept resolute in their evaluation.

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It is hoped that an €80m (£69m) fee can be agreed upon between Arsenal and Sporting. At the moment, reports suggest their differences lie in how this will be structured.

Meanwhile the 27-year-old has taken matters into his own hands.

It has already been reported that Gyokeres' preferred destination is the Emirates Stadium, despite interest from Premier League rivals Manchester United who have his former manager, Ruben Amorim, in charge.

Now it is widely reported how the Sweden international has failed to report for pre-season training on Saturday, July 12, as he was told to by Sporting.

And a fresh update on the current status of his move has now been issued.

"Arsenal remain in conversations with Sporting for the striker and the deal is absolutely on," Fabrizio Romano has explained for CaughtOffside.

"There is still a small gap in valuation, still a gap between the two clubs, so it’s a work in progress between Arsenal and Sporting to reach an agreement.

"What’s important to say is that Viktor Gyokeres will not show up in training anymore for Sporting.

"The player’s intention is very clear – it’s valid for today, tomorrow, and any other day at this stage of the summer transfer window.

"Gyokeres only wants to go to Arsenal.

"He believes his story with Sporting is over, he wants to leave the club to try something different."

Claiming there to already be a five-year contract agreement in place between Arsenal and Gyokeres, Romano concluded: "It’s also important to be clear that he’s more than given his priority to the Gunners – he only wants to play for Mikel Arteta."

Portuguese publication Record has explained the striker was given until Friday (July 11) before he was supposed to report back for pre-season. This was four days later than the majority of the Sporting squad.

He did not do so and was told he must do on Saturday, but has reportedly not heeded that warning.

Meanwhile in an interview with L'Equipe published on Saturday, Gyokeres reiterated his desire to return to England.

"Premier League? It's one of the biggest leagues in Europe. I was there for several years without being able to play a single game. So, of course it's something I'd like to do. It would be great revenge," he commented.

Then, responding to whether he might leave Sporting this summer, Gyokeres added: "It could happen. It's football, you never know.

"I'm not thinking about it, we'll see what happens. If something has to happen, it will happen. The most important thing for me is to play for a club that really wants me."