Arsenal have taken another huge step towards signing Viktor Gyokeres.
Standard Sport understands that the Gunners are closing in on the signing of the Sporting star as Mikel Arteta looks to land his desired statement striker signing finally.
Amid talk of a deal worth around €80million (£68.8m), it is believed that discussions are ongoing between both clubs over the payment structure before Sporting accept a bid.
There is an expectation that an agreement will be reached and Sporting have already earmarked their replacement for Gyokeres.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, former Watford striker Luis Javier Suarez is being targeted to fill Gyokeres’ shoes.
Talks were first initiated in June and are now progressing with the 27-year-old Colombia international and club side Almeria.
Suarez last season scored 27 goals, and provided eight assists, in Spain’s Segunda Division. He has spent much of career in Spain, though has previously spent less successful spells with Watford and Marseille.
The journeyman striker is reportedly keen to jump across the border into Portugal, where he has the task of filling the expected void of a man who has scored 97 goals and provided 28 assists in just 102 appearances across all competitions.
Gyokeres left Coventry for Sporting two years ago in a deal worth around £20million, and went on to finish as top scorer in both his seasons in the Portuguese top flight. He aslo has 15 goals in 26 senior international caps for Sweden, where he plays alongside another long-term Arsenal target in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.
