Sami Mokbel: Arsenal have made £60m bid (including add ons) – hope to seal deal soon

Gyokeres has not reported for pre-season training with Sporting, although he hasn’t yet given a public reason. His absence has only added fuel to the growing speculation around a move. Sporting president Frederico Varandas recently told Portuguese media outlet Lusa that there is no formal ‘gentleman’s agreement’ for the striker to leave, but he did acknowledge that the club wouldn’t insist on the full £85m release clause.

Varandas struck a firm tone, insisting, “If they don’t want to pay Viktor’s fair market value, we’ll be very comfortable with that for the next three years.” However, he also opened the door to Gyokeres staying – most likely to put pressure on Arsenal to pay up, saying everything could be resolved with “a hefty fine and an apology to the group.”

Gyokeres has enjoyed a sensational spell in Portugal, scoring an astonishing 97 goals in 102 appearances over two seasons and helping Sporting secure two league titles. Last season alone, he bagged 54 goals in 52 games – the kind of output that Arsenal hope can take them to the next level in the Premier League and Europe.

The Gunners have already made clear their intent this window and are quietly confident this move could be finalised in the coming days. As things stand, the feeling is that this is a live deal, and Arsenal fans might not have to wait much longer for a major attacking addition.

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Elsewhere, it is expected to be another busy week at the club, with several outgoings in discussion and deals for Cristhian Mosquera and Noni Madueke set to be sealed.

It remains to be seen if Arsenal will sell a player who was not expected to depart. They are set to spend a significant amount and may need to add some balance to the books, especially if they are to seriously pursue a deal for Eberechi Eze.