Arsenal to finally sign Viktor Gyokeres with imminent transfer one step away

Arsenal are finally closing in on the signing of Viktor Gyokeres, with a conclusion to lengthy transfer talks now "imminent".

The Gunners have been locked in talks to snap up the in-demand Sweden striker for weeks, but his club Sporting Lisbon have been playing hard ball over his signature.

At one point Gyokeres threatened to go on strike amid the lack of progress over a deal, with Sporting adamant they would not sell him on the cheap.

The striker has long been Mikel Arteta's number one transfer target this summer after watching him score 54 goals in 52 games last season, with many of Europe's elite keeping their eye on him.

But Arsenal quickly emerged as frontrunners, even with Manchester United rumoured to still be in the frame - after Gyokeres' old manager Ruben Amorim moved to Old Trafford.

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It was claimed last week that United had been offered another chance to sign Gyokeres with his Arsenal deal stalling, but Arsenal was the only destination the Sweden international was interested in.

Arsenal have already agreed a fee with Sporting - understood to be around £55m plus a further £8.6m in add-ons. The delay is said to be caused by the structuring of those bonuses that have been included in the deal.

However, the Athletic have reported that both parties are now "on the verge if a total agreement for the player", with a conclusion to talks "imminent". Now only "finishing touches" are needed to wrap up the negotiations, with Arsenal already agreeing personal terms with the player.

Gyokeres will sign a five-year deal at the Emirates, which will bring an end to a tense saga after Gyokeres landed in hot water with his club after refusing to turn up for pre-season training.

President Frederico Varandas issued a warning to the player as he said: "This strategy is also making it more complicated for the player to leave. Nobody is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are. We're calm. Everything will be resolved with the market closing, a hefty fine and an apology to the group."

Arteta was quizzed on an update for Gyokeres but refused to indulge reporters. He said: "I cannot comment on any player who is not part of our group yet. When we have something concrete to offer in any case to any player we will do that."

Arsenal's new transfer chief Andrea Berta has been in Portugal this month working hard on bringing Gyokeres to north London as he aims to give Arteta a team that challenge both Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title.

The striker will become the fifth major signing through the door this summer, following on from Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke. Meanwhile, it's believed Sporting are already eyeing up Gyokeres' replacement after targeting Almeria striker Luis Javier Suarez.

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