Mikel Arteta issues Viktor Gyokeres transfer demand to Arsenal board as clock ticks

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has imposed a deadline of fewer than two weeks for the Gunners to complete a deal for Viktor Gyokeres or another striker. The north London club are frantically seeking to bolster their attacking options this summer as they bid to bridge the gap to champions Liverpool at the Premier League summit.

Several options have surfaced, including RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. However, the standout prospect appears to be Sporting's prolific Viktor Gyokeres. Arsenal are believed to be edging closer to securing the Swedish forward after reaching an agreement on personal terms.

Discussions persist with Sporting, who are understood to demand approximately £69million (€80m) for their prized asset. While negotiations continue, it seems Arteta is extremely eager for a swift conclusion to proceedings.

According to Mail Online, the Arsenal chief wants any acquisition wrapped up before the squad departs for Singapore on July 19 for their pre-season Asian tour. It's suggested that the bulk of talks must be finalised during the week beginning July 14, affording Arsenal only a narrow window to hammer out the deal's specifics.

Sporting president Federico Varandas recently addressed Gyokeres' future and mentioned the Gunners when outlining his club's valuation of the striker.

He stated: "Sporting is calm regarding this matter. Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyokeres. Fortunately, we have moved past the phase of selling our main asset.

"However, we remain sensitive to Viktor's dreams or those of any other athlete. Sporting has made a commitment that, after weeks of meetings, we will not demand the full amount of the clause; we will be reasonable regarding the amount requested for Viktor."

"Today, there is a strong likelihood that he will leave. I won't disclose the amount, but the player knows what it is. I can say that Viktor will not leave for 60+10m. He won't leave, absolutely not.

"In recent weeks, we have been paying attention. I saw a player, Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, go for 65 million, and I saw Matheus Cunha move to Manchester United for around 75 million euros.

"We are talking about players who are 26 years old. I believe Viktor could leave, unless he has the worst agent in the world, which I don't believe, as his agent is one of the best in the world."

Gyokeres isn't the sole acquisition that Arsenal could finalise during the forthcoming weeks. Martin Zubimendi is poised to become a Gunner, whilst Valencia sensation Cristhian Mosquera has rejected a fresh contract with the La Liga outfit to force through a transfer to the Emirates.