Negotiations between Arsenal and Portuguese side Sporting CP have progressed significantly in recent days, with the Gunners increasing their fixed offer to €63.5 million (£54m/$69m), plus €10 million (£8m/$11m) in performance-related bonuses.

Gyökeres has made it abundantly clear that he has no desire to return to Sporting, having refused to report for pre-season, while Sporting president Frederico Varandas has insisted he is happy to fine Gyökeres and keep him at the club if Arsenal do not meet their demands.

Gyokeres's impending transfer to North London had been slightly held up by a Sporting soap opera, as club president Frederico Varandas firstly denied the existence of a €70m (£60.7m) gentleman's agreement with the striker's camp.