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.

Arsenal’s long chase for Viktor Gyokeres may soon come to a frustrating end — and not in the way fans had hoped. Despite weeks of talks, back-and-forth offers, and headlines, the move from Sporting CP to North London is now hanging by a thread.