Mikel Arteta is hoping to have Viktor Gyokeres in his squad by the time Arsenal head to Asia for their pre-season tour, according to a report from Portugal.
Mario Figueiredo reports for Portuguese outlet CM Jornal that Arsenal want Viktor Gyokeres on their pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong, and they’re preparing a bid to sign the striker in time for the trip.
Recent reports have suggested Benjamin Sesko’s wage demands could force Arsenal to prioritise a move for Gyokeres instead, though A Bola report that the Swedish striker will only leave for a bid meeting the Portuguese club’s expectations.
Club president Frederico Varandas is committed to letting Gyokeres leave for less than his €100m release clause, but not for the €60m + €10m deal rumoured in recent months.
Alan Nixon reported on his Patreon last week that Sesko’s camp are looking for a much bigger salary than the Gunners plan to pay, which could push Arsenal in Gyokeres’ direction.
Gyokeres is reportedly realising he isn’t first choice at Arsenal, but he remains keen on a move to the Premier League.
If Sesko’s demands don’t change, it may not matter that Gyokeres wasn’t originally Arsenal’s priority, as that’s what he’ll become.
Both Sesko and Gyokeres recently concluded their campaigns by missing the international break through injury, though neither issue was believed to be particularly serious. The duo should be fit for pre-season, if Arsenal can get a deal done for one of them in time.