Arsenal look set to solve their biggest squad deficiency as they are nearing a deal for striker Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP, with the 27-year-old close to arriving from the Portuguese club.

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.