In the past few hours, transfer negotiations between Arsenal and Sporting CP over Viktor Gyökeres have yet to make any progress.
The talks have entered the detailed stage, but the final agreement has not been finalized.
This is particularly significant given that Mikel Arteta's team will depart for their pre-season tour of Asia on Saturday, with the first stop in Singapore (they will face AC Milan on the 23rd and Newcastle United on the 27th respectively):
There is speculation over whether the Viking (Gyökeres) will be the Spanish manager's top target, but Record (a Portuguese media outlet) clearly knows that Gyökeres is prepared for any scenario, even…
One of the most likely scenarios is that if the two sides fail to reach a compromise in the next few hours to end this prolonged dispute, Gyökeres will not go anywhere and will resolutely refuse to report for duty.
Currently, Sporting CP's holding company led by Frederico Varandas and the London club (Arsenal) are working out the details of the €10 million add-on clauses, with Sporting CP insistent on receiving the full amount without complications.
To this end, they are relying on a key ally – Arteta himself – who has also demanded clear targets to start working in earnest.
It is worth noting that Gyökeres made a promise and kept it: he has not attended Sporting CP's training sessions – neither in Alcochete nor in the Algarve – and he will not return to Lisbon. He promptly conveyed this stance to Sporting CP's management, as he believes they have failed to keep their promises regarding his future.
During yesterday's friendly match between Sporting CP and Celtic, die-hard Sporting CP fans unfurled a banner that read: "No matter who they are, no one is above the club's interests! Focus on the three-peat!!!"
