Arsenal have reportedly received an encouraging update on Viktor Gyokeres, as Mikel Arteta looks to sign a new attacker before pre-season begins.
The Gunners boss is believed to be keen to have the deal wrapped up before their trip to Asia for their pre-season tour on July 19, with Sporting said to be holding out for a fee of around €80million (£69m) for their talisman.
Now, Portuguese newspaper A Bola claims that Sporting could be willing to negotiate the €80m fee through ‘realistic variables’ – potentially suggesting a €70m (£60m) base fee plus €10m (£8m) in add-ons.
While Gyokeres is said to have made his intention to leave Sporting Clube de Portugal this summer clear, president Frederico Varandas has publicly stated that the Swede will not be sold for €60million (£51m) plus €10m (£8m), as previously suggested.
“I can guarantee that Viktor will not leave for €60million plus €10million,” he said last month.
“Viktor already knows and I want Sporting fans to take advantage of this summer, in which they are two-time champions, in which they have a double, to celebrate, to be calm.
“There are only two scenarios: one club respects the price requested by Sporting and Viktor will fulfil his dream, and from that moment we will be ready to attack the targets, or that club does not want Viktor, and Viktor, with a three-year contract, stays at Sporting and we will be very happy.”
However, those comments reportedly didn’t sit well with Gyokeres, with previous reports claiming that a pact existed between him and the club. This would allow the 27-year-old to leave for a more accessible fee than his €100m (£86m) release clause.
As it stands, Gyokeres is expected to report for pre-season duty on Monday, July 7, though it’s unclear if he will, with reports in Portugal suggesting otherwise.
Elsewhere, Portuguese newspaper Record have reported Gyokeres has snubbed lucrative offers from Al Hilal and Al Qadisiyah, who were prepared to offer him millions.
The report claims that the 27-year-old striker wants to join Arsenal.
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