Viktor Gyokeres refuses to attend pre-season training with Arsenal transfer 'ready'

Viktor Gyokeres is reportedly refusing to attend pre-season training at Sporting as he continues to push for a summer move to Arsenal. He has emerged as a top target for the Gunners, who are desperate to sign a clinical striker ahead of the new Premier League season. Talks at club level have been ongoing for some time but agreeing on a transfer fee has proven difficult.

Sporting are thought to be playing hardball in discussions with Arsenal over the value of the proposed deal. They have set a non-negotiable asking price of £60.3million up front and £8.6m in add-ons. The latest offer from Arsenal is believed to have fallen short of those demands and a compromise is yet to be reached.

Personal terms have already been agreed, though, with Gyokeres due to receive over £200,000 per week if he moves to the Emirates Stadium. He is desperate to join Arsenal and is reportedly taking drastic measures to force it through.

Gyokeres is refusing to train with his Sporting team-mates, according to The Athletic, having informed the club that he will never play for them again. He had been expected to join the squad over the weekend but reportedly has no intention of doing so.

The forward is thought to be unhappy with Sporting, particuarly over how they have handled his situation. It reportedly stems from his belief they have backtracked on a 'gentleman's agreement' to allow him to leave for a reduced price.

The report adds that a transfer fee is the only thing preventing Gyokeres from joining Arsenal, with a five-year contract 'ready' to be signed off. Only time will tell if Sporting are prepared to revise their demands when it comes to agreeing a price.

Earlier this week, it was claimed the deal was on the brink of collapse as a result of Sporting refusing to budge. Negotiations have reportedly been on hold since last weekend and senior figures at the Emirates Stadium are said to be losing hope.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta reportedly arrived in Portugal last Friday in a desperate attempt to find a resolution. However, the 53-year-old is said to have returned on Monday without making any positive progress.

Other reports have suggested that Gyokeres has devised a back-up plan in case his proposed move to Arsenal falls flat. In that instance, he would be willing to wait until the end of the window and join another club on loan.

If the Gunners fail to land Gyokeres, there is a chance they could revive their interest in RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko. They were heavily linked with his signature earlier this summer but reportedly ended their pursuit before opening talks with Sporting.

However, if Arsenal decide to go back in for Sesko, he will be fully aware that it would come at the expense of a failed bid for Gyokeres.

The latter is arguably the best striker in world football at the moment, scoring an incredible 39 league goals from just 31 starts last season. As a result, the interest coming from Arsenal is no surprise, but whether they can reach a breakthrough is another question.

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