Arsenal could have just days left to sign Viktor Gyokeres as deadline set amid Sporting CP row

Mikel Arteta has reportedly set a deadline for Arsenal to finalise a deal for Viktor Gyokeres or an alternative as pre-season approaches.

According toreports in Portugal, Gyokeres is keen to join the Gunners, but negotiations have been slow in recent weeks. This follows comments from Sporting Clube de Portugal president Frederico Varandas regarding the striker's fee.

"I won't say what the amount is, it was communicated to the agent, the player knows," Varandas said. "I can guarantee, with absolute certainty, that Viktor will not leave for 60+10 million euros. It's not about wanting to earn something, it's just that he won't leave, absolutely not."

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As a result, a number of alternatives have emerged including RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa. However, the outstanding candidate appears to be Gyokeres, according to The Mirror.

football.london understands that Arsenal are long admirers of Gyokeres, with interest dating back to his spell at Coventry City in the Championship. Sporting director Berta is thought to be a 'big fan'.

Meanwhile, The Mail has provided an update on Arteta's preference for when he wants the deal to be completed.

Arteta is reportedly eager to have the deal wrapped up before Arsenal depart for their pre-season tour of Asia on July 19 - exactly two weeks from now.

The report suggests that the 'vast majority' of negotiations will have to be concluded in the week commencing July 14. This leaves the north Londoners with a limited time to get a deal over the line.

While Arsenal have reputedly agreed personal terms with Gyokeres, negotiations are ongoing with Sporting, who are said to be holding out for around £69million (€80m) for their star player.

However, Sporting do not appear to be in any rush to sell their prized asset. "Firstly, Sporting is very calm about the Viktor Gyokeres case," Varandas continued.

"Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyokeres. Fortunately, Sporting has gone through the phase where it always had to sell its main asset. We do not have to do this, but we are still sensitive to the dreams of Viktor or any other player of ours."

The saga has stretched from the season into the summer transfer window, with reports claiming that a ‘pact’ between the club and the player, allowing him to leave for €70m (£59m), was breached.

Last month, Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported that the Sweden international may not report for pre-season, something he is weighing up, at the start of July, despite formal proposals yet to be made to Sporting.