Mikel Arteta makes bold demand to Arsenal chiefs over Viktor Gyokeres transfer

Arsenal are keen to get a deal over the line for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres before the end of the window with Mikel Arteta having shared his thoughts on a deal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has set a deadline of less than TWO WEEKS for Arsenal to seal a deal for Viktor Gyokeres or an alternative. The Gunners are desperate to add a striker to their squad this summer as they attempt to cut the gap to Arsenal at the top of the table.

A number of candidates have emerged including RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. But the outstanding candidate appears to be Sporting Lisbon hitman Viktor Gyokeres.

Reports have suggested that Arsenal are closing in on a deal for the Swedish striker after agreeing personal terms. Negotiations continue with Sporting, who reportedly want to bank around £69million (€80m) for their star man.

While work continues on a deal, it appears that Arteta is very keen for a deal to be done as soon as possible. According to Mail Online, the Arsenal boss wants a move for a forward to be completed before Arsenal fly out to Singapore for a pre-season tour of Asia on July 19.

It is suggested that the vast majority of negotiations will have to be concluded in the week commencing July 14, leaving Arsenal with only a limited amount of time to thrash out the terms of a move.

READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal close on Gyokeres, Man Utd step up Watkins chase, Liverpool latestREAD MORE: Arsenal transfer target makes final decision on £17.3m move after rejected offer

Sporting president Federico Varandas has recently spoken out on Gyokeres’ future and name-checked the Gunners when discussing how much his side would be willing to sell the striker for. He said: “Sporting is calm regarding this matter.

“Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyökeres. Fortunately, we have moved past the phase of selling our main asset.

“However, we remain sensitive to Viktor’s dreams or those of any other athlete. Sporting has made a commitment that, after weeks of meetings, we will not demand the full amount of the clause; we will be reasonable regarding the amount requested for Viktor.

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“Today, there is a strong likelihood that he will leave. I won’t disclose the amount, but the player knows what it is. I can say that Viktor will not leave for 60+10m. He won’t leave, absolutely not.

“In recent weeks, we have been paying attention. I saw a player, Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, go for 65 million, and I saw Matheus Cunha move to Manchester United for around 75 million euros.

“We are talking about players who are 26 years old. I believe Viktor could leave, unless he has the worst agent in the world, which I don’t believe, as his agent is one of the best in the world.”

Gyokeres is not the only signing that Arsenal could conclude over the coming weeks. Martin Zubimendi is on the verge of becoming a Gunner, while Valencia star Cristhian Mosquera has turned down a new contract with the La Liga side to push through a move.

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