Arsenal have finally received a positive update as they look to finalise a deal for striker target Viktor Gyokeres. football.london understands that an agreement was reached in principle in a deal worth €63.5million (£55million) guaranteed + €10million (£8.7million) in add-ons.
However, further talks took place last week following this agreement over the structure of the deal and how the add-ons would be activated and how easily. For example, add-ons can typically be achieved through a number of appearances, goals or potential accolades being won, in the case of Arsenal, the Premier League or Champions League.
This has so far seen talks drag on despite the initial agreement, with reports emerging on Sunday morning of other interested parties, such as Manchester United, circling, which was later dispelled. Gyokeres has been clear that he only wants Arsenal and is believed to have turned down all other approaches, with the Gunners understood by football.london to have agreed terms on a five-year contract.
Sporting CP, however, have now accelerated in their plans to replace the Swedish striker. The Portuguese side are now in talks with Almeria over a deal for 27-year-old Luis Suarez.
The Colombian notched 27 goals in 41 appearances last season in the second tier of Spanish football as Almeria finished sixth, missing out on promotion. According to Portuguese journalist Sebastião Sousa-Pinto, the Spanish club are looking for €25million (£21.6million) for the forward who has also been linked to Premier League side Sunderland.
The progression in this transfer is a boost to those hoping Arsenal would complete a deal for Gyokeres. Sporting would be believed only to be moving ahead with talks for their replacement striker if Arsenal were getting closer to taking their current number nine away.
Gyokeres remains on standby for now, ready to complete the necessary paperwork and medical at a moment’s notice if and when the two clubs finally find this middle ground. Arsenal are already in Asia on their pre-season tour; the striker could, therefore, fly in to join the group.
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