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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Viktor Gyokeres 'makes final threat to Sporting' in desperate push for Arsenal move

Transfer wish: Viktor Gyokeres is determined to join Arsenal this summer - (AFP via Getty Images)

Viktor Gyokeres has made his latest attempt to force through a summer transfer to Arsenal.

The 27-year-old scored 54 goals in all competitions for Sporting last season and a move away from Portuguese club this summer has felt inevitable.

Manchester United were believed to have interest on Gyokeres, who worked under Ruben Amorim at Sporting, but it is Arsenal who have moved into pole position to sign the Swedish striker.

The Gunners are also keen on Benjamin Sesko, but recent reports suggest that wage demands have proved a problem with the RB Leipzig forward.

Gyokeres has therefore emerged as a top target again and Portuguese outlet Record report that he has called Sporting president Frederico Varandas to demand he is sold.

It is claimed that Gyokeres told Varandas has has given his all and should be allowed to leave for Arsenal, and urged the club to accept a fee of €60m plus €10m in add-ons.

Gyokeres is said to be desperate to join Arsenal and warned Varandas that he will never forgive Sporting if they delay and force the Gunners to look elsewhere for a new striker.

He made it clear that he has no intention of returning to the club for the new season.

It is not the first time this summer that the Sporting president has been dragged into this transfer saga.

After reports emerged that Gyokeres and Sporting supposedly had an agreement that the club would allow him to leave for €60m plus €10m, Varandas hit out at the striker’s agent and insisted there was no set fee.

“They should know me better by now,” Varandas said.

“Threats, blackmail and insults do not work with me. And I can guarantee one thing: Viktor will not leave for €60m plus €10m. I never promised this.

“With this game that the agent is playing, the situation is only getting worse. To date, Sporting have not had an offer for Viktor Gyokeres. Not today or last summer.”

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