Arsenal has threatened to walk away from negotiations to sign Viktor Gyokeres after Sporting CP increased their asking price for the prolific striker, according to recent reports.
Gyokeres, who has attracted significant attention from Europe's elite clubs after netting an impressive 67 goals in 52 appearances for the Portuguese champions, has become a primary target for several Premier League sides this summer.
Price Hike Following Manchester United Snub
Sporting CP had reportedly been hoping to ignite a bidding war between interested clubs to maximize their return on the Swedish international. However, the situation has taken an unexpected turn after Gyokeres reportedly rejected Manchester United's advances in favor of a potential move to Arsenal.
Following this development, Sporting has significantly increased their valuation of the striker. Arsenal had initially believed that a fee of approximately €70 million (£60m/$81m) would be sufficient to secure Gyokeres' signature, but the Portuguese club has now dismissed offers in that range as inadequate.
Arsenal Considers Alternative Options
In response to what they perceive as inflated demands, Arsenal is reportedly ready to "freeze" their interest in Gyokeres and explore alternative options. The North London club believes they have more cost-effective alternatives available, including RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins.
This development represents a significant shift in Arsenal's transfer strategy, having previously been linked with Napoli's Victor Osimhen before reportedly dropping their interest in the Nigerian international to focus on Gyokeres.
The Gunners' stance highlights the complex nature of the summer transfer window, with clubs engaged in delicate negotiations while simultaneously exploring multiple options to strengthen their squads ahead of the 2025/26 season.
As the situation develops, Arsenal fans will be watching closely to see whether the club decides to meet Sporting's demands or pivot to one of their alternative striker targets.
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