Arsenal edge closer to Gyokeres deal as talks enter final stage | OneFootball

Arsenal are on the brink of signing Viktor Gyokeres after making a decisive push in negotiations with Sporting CP, per The Athletic.

The Gunners have taken formal steps to close the gap on a deal, having identified Gyokeres as their top centre-forward target.

While talks have been drawn out, the latest Arsenal offer exceeds the €60 million plus €10m add-ons that Gyokeres believed would trigger his Sporting exit clause.

Club president Frederico Varandas has held out for a higher figure, but the revised Arsenal bid is now believed to be within striking distance of a breakthrough.

Gyokeres could be the centre-forward Arsenal have been missing as they bid to end their long wait for a Premier League title.

They have finished second for three successive seasons and need a lethal striker to push them over the line. They have turned to the former Coventry City hitman.

If Arsenal eventually sign Gyokeres, they must consider selling Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz this summer.

The former spent a chunk of the season sidelined and has been battling niggling injury issues since he moved to the Emirates Stadium.

Havertz’s inability to perform in midfield forced manager Mikel Arteta to move him into the centre-forward position, but his profligacy has cost the Gunners points.

Arsenal must seize any opportunity to sell the underperforming pair and raise funds that can be reinvested in their squad.