Luis Suarez shows up Viktor Gyokeres as Arsenal must overcome issue for £69m man

Arsenal are trying to overcome one final hitch as they look to get a deal for Viktor Gyokeres over the line, while Sporting have a prolific replacement lined up

Sporting CP’s potential replacement for Viktor Gyokeres has shown up the Arsenal target as the Gunners look to overcome a last-minute transfer hitch. The Premier League giants are edging closer to landing their number one target of the summer despite Sporting playing financial hardball.

Mirror Football understands that the Gunners have made an improved offer that will see the player’s agent receive a vastly reduced fee. While the £69million transfer is still widely expected to be completed, Portuguese outlet Record reports that the clubs are at odds over the nature of the add-ons.

It is claimed that Sporting want the add-ons to ‘be easily achieved’, while Arsenal are ‘resisting this request’. Meanwhile, Gyokeres, who is desperate to join Mikel Arteta’s side, has failed to show up for Sporting’s pre-season training camp in the Algarve.

According to reports in Portugal, his team-mates were not surprised by his apparent strike action, which has landed him with a fine. However, the club are still preparing for life without the former Coventry City striker, whose conduct is in contrast to the player who looks set to replace him at Sporting, Almeria’s Colombian forward Luis Suarez.

Sporting’s pursuit of Suarez is well advanced. However, unlike Gyokeres, he is continuing to train with the Spanish Segunda Division side in ‘total normality,’ reports A Bola. Footage has emerged this week of the 27-year-old, who scored an impressive 31 goals in 43 games last season, training alongside his Almeria colleagues.

Suarez’s move to Portugal is expected to be tied up once Arsenal have completed the signing of Gyokeres. Away from the Gyokeres saga, Arsenal continue to be active in the transfer market this summer, with Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera arriving in London ahead of his expected move.

The 21-year-old Spaniard is set to provide cover for William Saliba and Gabriel at the heart of the Gunners’ defence. It is understood Arsenal are hopeful a deal for Mosquera, who played 41 times for Valencia last season, will be completed before they depart for their tour of Singapore and Hong Kong on Saturday.

Chelsea forward Noni Madueke’s £52million transfer is also in the closing stages. Mosquera, who is expected to sign for an initial fee of £13m with performance-related add-ons, and Madueke would become the club’s fourth and fifth summer signings.

Denmark midfielder Christian Norgaard, Spain international Martin Zubimendi and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga have already been confirmed. New sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted no time in improving Arsenal’s squad as Arteta eyes a first Premier League title in more than two decades.

Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be in the pipeline as well.

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