Arsenal in 'advanced talks' for Viktor Gyokeres as transfer-defining decision made

Arsenal are reportedly in advanced discussions to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting. And the 27-year-old has decided that the only club he wants to join this summer is the Gunners.

Gyokeres has been at the centre of a transfer battle, with Arsenal and Manchester United tussling over his signature. Sporting are said to be concerned the Sweden international will go on strike in an attempt to push through a transfer to the Emirates Stadium after he turned down a move to the Saudi Pro League. And Mikel Arteta has reportedly told Gunners chiefs he wants the deal completed in the next fortnight.

According to The Athletic, Arsenal and Sporting are in advanced talks over a deal for Gyokeres. The discussions are continuing, with Arteta pushing for a swift conclusion to the deal.

The transfer fee is yet to be decided, but personal terms are in place on a five-year contract. And the player has prioritised a switch to Arsenal for some time.

Gyokeres has become one of the most sought-after players in Europe thanks to his efforts for Sporting over the last two seasons. The star has netted 97 goals in 102 games for the Portuguese club, with 54 of those strikes coming last season.

He even bagged a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League last November in one of Ruben Amorim's final games at the helm. The ace helped his side reach the first knockout round of the European competition before they were eventually knocked out by Borussia Dortmund.

Gyokeres is said to have an £86m release clause in his contract but reportedly thrashed out a gentlemen's agreement with his employers last year to leave for £60m during the current transfer window.

Sporting are said to be holding out for £68.5m to agree to an exit, although they would reportedly allow some of that fee to be paid in add-ons.

And discussing the matter last month, Sporting president Frederico Varandas explained: "I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for 60m euros plus 10m euros because I never promised that.

"One of the agent's biggest concerns was whether we would demand the termination clause. He wanted to guarantee certain things. And what was agreed? That Sporting would not demand a release clause now.

"For one reason - he was going to be 27 years old and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for 100m euros or 90m euros.

"In that same meeting the agent wanted to anchor the exit to a value. I said this sentence: 'It's not worth us setting a value because I don't know what will happen in a year's time. I don't know if it will be 40m euros, 60m euros or 80m euros. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand 100m euros.'"