Arsenal are still hopeful of closing a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer, but may have to change their plans surrounding his involvement in pre-season.
The Swedish international has long been on the radar at the Emirates Stadium, but he appears to be the striker of choice for Andrea Berta.
As talks for Viktor Gyokeres continue, there have been some challenges at Arsenal regarding a payment structure with Sporting CP.
With that in mind, there could be a change for Mikel Arteta and his pre-season plans that he may not be best pleased with.
Viktor Gyokeres won’t join Arsenal’s pre-season tour if talks continue to stall
While Arsenal are still locked in talks to sign Viktor Gyokeres, there is a real threat that the deal will continue to drag on.
If that happens, then the striker could get less time to prepare for the new season with the Gunners due to the pre-season tour.
Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia is now underway, and while the squad has been announced, new signings can be added to it.
However, according to The Mirror, if the delay continues, then the club will consider keeping Gyokeres in London over the trip to Asia.
It’s due to his conditioning, with the idea being that he can build up some fitness at London Colney without risking injury so early into his own pre-season regime.
It’s stated that Arsenal are relaxed over the deal, and there is still a desire to get Gyokeres out to the pre-season camp.
Mikel Arteta wanted a striker for Arsenal’s pre-season tour
While Arsenal are still pushing to get the striker deal done as soon as possible, there will still be some likely frustration from Mikel Arteta.
The Arsenal boss wanted to get a centre-forward in for the pre-season tour, allowing him to get some time on the grass with the new signing.
Given how important the striker addition will be, it’s clear that they need some coaching and some fitness, with pre-season offering a low-pressure environment to do that.
With the delay in the Gyokeres deal, Arsenal now risk annoying Arteta if they can’t fly him out to Asia for the pre-season tour.
It remains to be seen just how far the Gunners can push the deal before it risks falling apart altogether.
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