According to the Portuguese Outlet Record, the movement of Arsenal for Viktor Gyökeres is now almost collapsed, where the player refuses to return to the sport for the preseason.
A source from Arsenal revealed that the deal was “almost broken” because Sporting's management remains determined in order not to lower their asking price for the Swedish international.
Arsenal Sporting Director Edu Gaspar arrived in Lisbon last Friday and left on Monday without closing the deal. Sporting demands € 80 million, while the last proposal from Arsenal € 65 million was set plus € 15 million in add-ons. Of that € 15 million, € 5 million is considered easily feasible, but sporting wants the fixed reimbursement to be increased by € 5 million and the add-ons reduced to € 10 million, which keeps the deal € 70 million + € 10 million.
The two parties are now further apart, with sporting sticking to their appreciation and Arsenal reportedly “very unhappy” with their attitude, to the point that they lose patience. The deal is currently not showing signs of progress and runs the risk of falling completely.
Gyökeres himself also takes a solid attitude. He has refused to participate in the training for the season. Although Sporting had enabled him to report at Alcochete tomorrow, he is determined to stay away as a form of protest to force the move.