Arsenal remain relaxed about the Viktor Gyokeres transfer despite ongoing delays in negotiations with Sporting CP.
Talks between the Gunners and the Portuguese side had progressed significantly earlier in the week, with Arsenal increasing their fixed offer to €63.5 million (£54m/$69m), plus €10 million (£8m/$11m) in performance-related bonuses.
The structure of those bonuses, however, remains the main sticking point holding up the agreement.
Under Sporting’s original demands, they were seeking €70 million (£59m/$76m) up front, but would have been required to pay €7 million (£6m/$7.6m) in agent fees, leaving a net gain of €63 million (£53m/$68m).
Sources have told Sporting News that Viktor Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, has waived the 10 percent commission he would normally be entitled to in order to help push the deal through.
The Portuguese club have insisted on including €10m (£8.4m/$10.9m) in add-ons which they want to be easily achievable in the short term, a condition Arsenal consider excessive given the already high base fee.
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Mikel Arteta’s side have arrived in Singapore ahead of their tour of Asia, which also includes a trip to Hong Kong, where they will face Milan on the 23rd, Newcastle on the 27th and Tottenham on the 31st.
Arteta wants Gyokeres’ deal to be finalised soon, with the striker currently working on an individualised training programme to keep fit.
Reports in Spain this week suggested a medical was being planned, and while there had been optimism a deal could be completed as early as this weekend, sources say that Sporting’s negotiating stance has caused frustration within Arsenal.
The Sweden forward holds dual Swedish-Hungarian nationality and would not require a visa to enter the UK, which could accelerate his inclusion in the squad.
Meanwhile, tensions have escalated between Gyokeres and Sporting, with the club formally notifying the 26-year-old of disciplinary breaches after he failed to report for pre-season training.
In response, Gyokeres – via his lawyers – has stated he will not play for Sporting again, alleging that the club, led by president Frederico Varandas, has failed over the past two years to honour a verbal commitment to let him leave for a fee substantially lower than his €100m release clause.
They are keen to finalise a deal within the next few days and plan to impose a fine on Gyokeres for his no-show.
Elsewhere, it is hoped that Arsenal’s new signing, central defender Cristhian Mosquera, will be able to join the tour in the coming days after completing the final stages of his paperwork.
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