Reports of progress on an Arsenal deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres have been played down, though his transfer to north London remains a possibility.
L’Equipe reported on Tuesday that Arsenal were making progress in their pursuit of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, with the Gunners closing in on an agreement with the player and hopes of a compromise on a fee with his club.
Yet multiple other sources have played down these claims, with Fabrizio Romano reporting on his YouTube channel that despite the rumours, nothing has changed between Arsenal and Sporting, and there is no advanced negotiation ongoing.
Romano confirms that Arsenal and Gyokeres are in discussions, and have been for weeks, but that’s it for now.
In Portugal, Record report that Arsenal haven’t made a fresh approach to Gyokeres, and there are no active negotiations between Sporting and any club for his transfer.
Record add that Gyokeres situation remains the same: Sporting expected him back in training on July 7th, and he’s informed the club he doesn’t intend to turn up.
As it stands, the player is reportedly training in Greece with a fitness coach.
Ahead of the summer Gyokeres believed he had a pact with Sporting to allow him to leave for €60m (£51.5m) plus €10m (£8.6m) in add-ons.
But club president Frederico Varandas has since publicly stated that the pact was only that they wouldn’t demand his €100m release clause, with no specific discussions on a €70m package.
James McNicholas reported for The Athletic this week that Sporting are understood to want €80m (£68.7m) for Gyokeres. Less than his release clause, but more than he believed he could leave for.