By Alan Smith
Viktor Gyokeres鈥 forceful push to be granted a Sporting Lisbon exit is set to succeed with latest reports suggesting the Sweden striker is closer to securing a switch to Arsenal after agreeing personal terms. And despite Sporting chief Federico Varandas furiously saying last month that 鈥渢hreats, blackmail and insults don鈥檛 work with me鈥 after Gyokeres allegedly personally phoned him to say he would not play for the club again, while the star鈥檚 agent was actively doing his best to ensure a transfer, there is a growing belief that the Portuguese club may be left with no other option but to sanction a deal. Sporting have made it clear for months that they will not accept anything less than their 拢85m asking price for their top scorer. The Gunners, who may now look to halt their interest in RB Leipzig鈥檚 Benjamin Sesko, reportedly had a bid of about 拢60m rejected by Sporting last month. But after yesterday confirming the signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in a cut price 拢5m deal from Chelsea , overnight reports from French newspaper L’Equipe referring to Gyokeres鈥 agent suggest that there is an agreement over personal terms and a five-year deal between the player and Arsenal. That will be viewed as an escalation in a row between club and player that has long turned bitter. Arsenal are also pushing ahead with a deal for the Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, though adding a striker remains the window’s top priority. Gyokeres joined Sporting two years ago from Coventry City in a club record 鈧20m (拢17.2m) deal and has a contract that runs until the summer of 2028. His current club insist that they will only sell when a 鈧100m (拢86m) release clause is activated but Gyokeres has claimed he made a gentleman鈥檚 agreement with the hierarchy last year that they would let him depart for 鈧80m (拢68m). That has been strenuously denied by Varandas, who saw Gyokeres score 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions last season. Manchester United have also been linked with a move for Gyokeres, though their attention now appears to be on Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo having already added Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a 拢62.5m. United must also offload several unwanted stars, including Marcus Rashford and Antony , to fund further spending in the summer window. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.