SPORTING LISBON have told Arsenal they will NOT budge on their Viktor Gyokeres valuation in another transfer window hammerblow.
And the Portuguese giants’ president Frederico Varandas has warned the Gunners: pay up or miss out.
GettyViktor Gyokeres finally looks set for a Prem switch this summer[/caption]
GettyBenjamin Sesko remains another option for Arsenal and Co[/caption]
Boss Mikel Arteta has earmarked the striker as a top target to bolster his attack in this window, alongside Red Bull Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko – but both deals are currently in limbo.
Gyokeres, 27, has been left furious with Sporting over an alleged breach of a gentleman’s agreement that would let him leave for around £60m – lower than his release clause of around £80m.
And the Swede is now refusing to play for the Portuguese side again.
Arteta was hoping to land him for a bargain price, but Varandas has doubled down on only selling the star for a fair market value.
He cited Arsenal’s move for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Manchester United’s pursuit of new-boy Matheus Cunha and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.
Varandas has even threatened to keep Gyokeres in Portugal if Arsenal continue to low ball, hoping to receive close to £70m to seal the switch.
He said: “Sporting is very calm regarding Viktor Gyokeres. We do not need to sell him, but we remain sensitive to the dreams of Viktor and any of our athletes.
“After weeks of meetings, we are not asking for the release clause and will be reasonable regarding the price we ask for Viktor. Today, I believe there is a strong probability he will leave.
The Swede amassed stunning stats in the Portuguese top flight last term
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Inside Arsenal’s frustrating striker transfer saga
By Jordan Davies
ARSENAL’S never-ending hunt for a world-class striker is in turmoil as deals for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres stall.
The Gunners were confident of doing their business quickly this summer after months of preparation by boss Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta.
But inflated asking prices and broken gentlemen’s agreements have derailed those plans and left Arsenal frustrated.
Sesko believed he would be allowed to leave RB Leipzig for around £60million, while SunSport understands Gyokeres was told £59m would be enough to seal his own exit.
But those price-tags have gone up, leaving Arsenal debating whether they represent value for money.
While the players’ camps are also growing restless, knowing the Gunners can only sign one of them.
So what next? Will Arsenal keep waiting in the hope of fees eventually going down? Or turn to other targets, like Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike?
Whatever they decide, with pre-season looming and the fixtures already out, Arteta will be desperate for them to move quickly to avoid another nearly season.
“We have been watching the market and I saw [Martin] Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, leave for £51million.
“I saw Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both forwards but who, in my opinion, do not have Viktor’s market value or quality, being negotiated for around £64m.
“Given the demands we consider fair, I believe Viktor could leave – unless he has the worst agent in the world, which is hard for me to believe, because he is one of the best footballers in the world.
“The player knows, the agent knows, and I can guarantee, with absolute certainty, that Viktor will not leave for £60m.”
United – who are also monitoring Gyokeres’ situation – have already signed Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m this summer and have also seen multiple bids rejected for Mbeumo.
Arsenal are set to announce the arrival of midfielder Zubimendi, and are in talks to sign Valencia centre back Christian Mosquera for around £20m.
Varandas said: “If Viktor stays, we will be very, very happy – and it will be a problem for our rivals.
“We are completely prepared to move for our target if Viktor leaves.”
Gyokeres is currently on holiday after international duty with Sweden and is due to report back for pre-season in Lisbon on July 7 unless a deal is struck before then.
Arsenal are in a similar mess with 22-year-old Sesko, who is angry over Leipzig’s hard-ball stance, demanding £70m despite a lower initial gentleman’s agreement in January.
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