Sporting have informed Arsenal they are holding out for €70 million (£60.2m) plus €10 million in add-ons for Viktor Gyökeres, after turning down the London club’s previous offer of €65 million plus €15 million in bonuses.

Following weeks of deadlock that have left Gyökeres frustrated, negotiations have become more productive, and a resolution now appears to be within reach.

Mikel Arteta has prioritized signing a new No 9 during this crucial summer for Arsenal, with Viktor Gyökeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko both on his shortlist.

While Arsenal haven’t received the level of encouragement they had hoped for regarding Sesko, the situation with Gyökeres has been more straightforward. Sporting have made it clear they are willing to sell for €80 million—below his €100 million release clause—and have remained firm on that valuation.

Gyökeres, who has been in outstanding goal-scoring form for Sporting since his £20.5m transfer from Coventry in the summer of 2023, has made it clear that he wants to join Arsenal. The 27-year-old has already agreed personal terms with the club, which were never expected to be a stumbling block. The main hurdle has been reaching a deal between the two clubs.

Arteta is keen to finalise the deal swiftly, ideally before Arsenal leave for their pre-season tour of Asia next Saturday, where they are set to face Milan, Newcastle, and Tottenham. Gyökeres is due to report back to Sporting for pre-season training on Friday, but reports in Portugal suggest he may refuse to attend, highlighting his strong desire to push through a move to Arsenal.