Mikel Arteta makes Viktor Gyokeres demand after Sporting star goes AWOL to force through transfer

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has made a demand involving Viktor Gyokeres as the saga involving the Sporting CP striker continues to rumble on.

Gyokeres, Arsenal's top target to strengthen their attack, has been at odds with club president Frederico Varandas over the transfer and refused to return to first-team training in a bid to make the move happen.

With Sporting returning to action on Monday in a friendly against Sunderland, Gyokeres is understood to be in Stockholm waiting for developments in the deal after a removal van was spotted removing belongings from his Lisbon property.

While Sporting and Arsenal are said to have agreed on a fixed fee and achieved a breakthrough in negotiations, the two parties are in disagreement over a key element of the deal.

Earlier this week David Ornstein reported that Varandas "wants near, fixed and guaranteed add-ons" amounting to €10 million but Arsenal have a different view and wish for €2.5 million of the bonus payments to be more difficult to achieve.

Arteta, having already made three signings summer, wants the deal wrapped up imminently and Portuguese outlet A Bola say he is requesting that Gyokeres be on Arsenal's flight to Singapore.

In a pre-season tour of Asia, the Gunners will take on AC Milan, Newcastle and rivals Spurs in high-profile friendly matches.

Viktor Gyokeres is waiting for his move to Arsenal to be agreed. Image: Getty

But with a complete agreement still not thrashed out, it is looking increasingly unlikely that Gyokeres will be on the plane for the tour.

If the clubs do get on the same page when it comes to nature of the add-ons, friendlies against Villarreal and Athletic Club look more realistic.

Sporting and Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres disagreement explained

Arsenal have agreed a £54.8m fixed fee plus £8.6m in add-ons for Gyokeres, whose agent has reportedly waived his commission fee to help speed up the transfer.

However, there is a key difference of opinion in regards to the add-ons. As per Sport Witness, Sporting's desired arrangement is for €2.5 million once Gyokeres plays 20 times, another €2.5 million for the next 20 appearances and €2.5 million if Arsenal qualify for the Champions League for the fourth consecutive season.

They would then be due a further €2.5 million if Gyokeres makes another 20 appearances in 2026/27.

But Arsenal want a portion of the add-ons to be less achievable and that has been the sticking point in the deal.

After signing from Coventry City, Gyokeres scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting and has developed into one of the most devastating strikers in Europe.