Arsenal are closing on Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres in a deal worth up to £70million.
Further talks were taking place on Sunday night over the structure of achievable bonus payments on the fee with the 27-year old having already agreed personal terms on a five year contract.
Gyokeres came back into focus after RB Leipzig refused to budge sufficiently in their valuation of Benjamin Sesko.
Arsenal, who confirmed the £60m signing of Spain international midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, are also poised to make an offer for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke after the England international’s representatives agreed personal terms with the Gunners.
Chelsea want over £50m for Madueke and in the process have made a tentative enquiry for Arsenal’s teenage winger Ethan Nwaneri who has still to agree terms on a new contract.
Arsenal remain hopeful they can keep the 18-year old as they look to find a compromise with his agents.
They also intend to make a revised offer for Valencia centre back Cristhian Mosquera and plan an offer for Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze who has a £68m release clause.
Man United head coach Ruben Amorim had looked to reunite with Gyokeres this summer but he was informed last month that his target only wanted to join Arsenal.
The development comes shortly before Arteta’s side return for pre-season training. As reported by Mail Sport, he had been keen to sign a new striker before his squad jets out to Singapore on July 19 to begin their tour of Asia.
Sporting were reportedly concerned Gyokeres would follow through on his threat to go on strike instead of returning for pre-season training next week, but the situation now looks to be reaching a head after Arsenal held new talks over the weekend.
An irritated Gyokeres had accused Sporting of rowing back on an agreement to let him leave for £60m, to which club president Frederico Varandas said he had received no offers and vowed he would not succumb to ‘blackmails and insults’.
The forward scored an incredible 97 goals in 102 games over the past two seasons in Portugal and is under contract until 2028. He pushed back on lucrative approaches from Saudi Pro League sides Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah earlier this summer.
Gyokeres was also on Juventus’ radar but the Serie A giants have missed out, too.
Initially, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko looked to be Arsenal’s primary target at No 9 but attention has shifted to Gyokeres. Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins was also considered.
Arsenal also hold an interest in Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze and Rodrygo of Real Madrid, while they have been linked with Chelsea’s Noni Madueke in recent days.
Arteta was forced to rely on a makeshift striker in Mikel Merino after injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus left him without a recognised striker for much of last season, and he made the arrival of a new frontman a priority in this window.
Sporting director Andrea Berta has been busy since replacing Edu, sealing deals for Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. The latter was on the radars of both Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Speaking last season, Arteta ‘promised’ a big summer of spending.
‘Now we want to increase the depth of the squad, but as well we want to increase the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step,’ he said.
‘It’s going to be a big one and we are very excited about it.’
Gyokeres moved to England in 2017-18 when he joined Brighton, but he made just eight appearances for the club, scoring one goal.
He spent loan spells at St Pauli and Swansea before switching to Coventry, initially on a loan deal, where he scored 43 goals over two-and-a-half seasons.
