Viktor Gyokeres bombshell drops as Sporting striker 'reaches verbal agreement' with his next club

Viktor Gyokeres is reportedly close to reaching an agreement with his next club as he edges closer to a Sporting Lisbon exit.

The 27-year-old has been linked with a move away from Portugal since the beginning of the transfer window.

He scored 52 goals in all competitions and is one of Europe's top-performing strikers.

Gyokeres has been linked with moves to Arsenal, Manchester United, Juventus and even Liverpool this summer.

According to a new report, he has made a decision over his next club and is close to reaching an agreement to sign for them.

L'Equipe have revealed that the Sweden international is in talks with Arsenal, with new Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta said to be leading discussions.

Gyokeres is said to have informed Arsenal that he wants to join them, with his agent Hasan Cetinkaya nearing a verbal agreement.

The Gunners, however, are still yet to reach an agreement with Sporting.

The Portuguese club's president, Frederico Varandas, again reiterated last week in an interview with O Jogo that no club had met Sporting's asking price for the striker.

Gyokeres' camp had accused Sporting of reneging on an agreement made last summer to allow him to leave for €60 million plus €10 million in add-ons.

In response, Varandas sensationally alleged them of committing 'blackmail' against the club.

Should a deal be struck between the two clubs, Gyokeres' arrival would end Arsenal's lengthy search for a centre forward.

During the second half of last season, manager Mikel Arteta was forced to alternate between Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling up front due to serious injuries suffered by Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Jesus will also miss the start of this campaign after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during an FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United in January.