Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer bombshell as move 'at risk of collapse' amid £64m update

While many believed an agreement between Arsenal and Sporting Clube de Portugal was imminent, reports from Portugal have suggested otherwise.

Negotiations between Arsenal and Sporting have been underway for some time to finalise a deal for Gyokeres. There was hope that an agreement was on the verge of being reached.

However, negotiations have hit a snag, causing further delays. Arsenal are eager to secure the Swede’s signing before departing for their pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong next week.

With that said, football.london takes a look at the latest reports from Portugal.

'Transfer at risk of collapsing'

The Record newspaper's executive director Sergio Krithinas provided an update on the situation on Monday evening.

He said: "I don't know if the deal was as close as it seemed, because of this lack of understanding of the €63.5m (£55m) to Sporting without the agent's commission. And then the structure of the €10m (£8.6m) in bonus - Sporting wanted €5m (£4.3m) 'easily' plus €2.5m (£2.2m) more that could happen within a year and were easy to obtain.

"There is still a lot to happen and while there was some hope that today (Monday) would be a day of agreements and closeness, from what I was told, it's not been that straightforward or close.

"As of Monday, July 14, 8:43pm, the deal is far from being closed and at risk of collapsing. But things can still change. But in this moment, there is a risk of a deal not being reached for Gyokeres."

The 'sticky point'

Sporting have stood firm on their valuation of Gyokeres. Although it's been reported that a fee of €63.5m plus €10m (£64m overall) in add-ons has been 'agreed', those bonuses are described as being 'difficult to reach.'

Record explained: "From what we gathered, everything points to a €63.5m transfer plus €10m in add-ons. However, from those €10m, only €5m variables are 'easily achievable.'

"The other €5m are difficult to achieve. This is what is impeding a deal from advancing, given that Sporting want add-ons that are more easily reached. For the transfer to be closer, it was decisive that Gyokeres' agent Hasan Cetinkaya promised to abdicate from the 10% of the transfer fee, which he would be entitled to."

Sporting's stance

Elsewhere, sources close to Portuguese newspaper A Bola have revealed that Sporting have 'kept the door open' for ongoing negotiations with Arsenal.

However, there are concerns that recent disagreements between the clubs could result in a complete 'rupture' with no turning back. football.london understands Arsenal are still expected to close a deal for the Swede worth around £63.4millio including add-ons.

Gyokeres' 'patience'

The 27-year-old is reportedly still in Sweden after missing Sporting’s pre-season training last Friday, while his agent is in London.

According to A Bola, at this point, the Swedish player isn’t exploring other options to advance his career, with Arsenal the only club holding discussions. Gyokeres has agreed a five-year deal with Arsenal, football.london understands.

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