what Portuguese press are saying amid collapse fear

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A deal for Viktor Gyokeres could be finalised by the weekend after talks resumed this week, according to reports in Portugal.

Arsenal will fly out for their pre-season tour of Asia on Saturday, July 19, and it’s no surprise that Mikel Arteta wants all of his summer targets on that plane. With deals for Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera already finalised, the hope, according to The Athletic, is that Gyokeres will also be joining the squad in Singapore.

It won’t be the end of the world if the Swede isn’t part of the travelling group, but with the first pre-season friendly scheduled for Sunday, July 27, against Newcastle United, it would definitely be beneficial for him to join his new teammates as soon as possible.

With that said, football.london takes a look at the latest updates on Gyokeres from the Portuguese press.

Viktor Gyokeres deal was at risk but did not collapse: Sporting and Arsenal resume negotiations

A Bola wrote: "Parties involved in the negotiations for the transfer of Gyokeres to England have resumed talks again after Sporting's rejection of the structure of bonuses. A new 'round' of talks in the long and very intense negotiations between Arsenal and Sporting in the transfer of Gyokeres to London.

"In a transfer saga of many advances and setbacks, agreements almost closed and a deal that almost collapsed, A Bola found out there was a new meeting to reach an understanding between all the parties involved in this process. After the agent's decision to abdicate the commission to which he would be entitled in this operation (about €7million), everything seemed threatened, even at risk of collapse, after another denial by the Lions to the proposal sent.

"Arsenal offered €63.5m plus €10m in bonuses, but everything was blocked precisely with these variables. Sporting wanted the entire amount in quickly achievable goals, while Arsenal, in the proposal sent to the Lions, included only €3m that would be easily achieved. A Bola understands that was promptly rejected. Although there was a risk the deal would collapse, Sporting never closed the door to a possible agreement, and talks resumed this Tuesday, albeit without reaching one.

"There are still (many) points to get right - not only regarding the bonuses, which may soon be exceeded, but also concerning the payment deadlines in this operation. There is still no white smoke, but a new window of hope has opened - even after several threats and controversy because Gyokeres remains absent from work and under the disciplinary action."

Negotiations for Gyokeres: Sporting and Arsenal are separated by €2.5 million

The difference between the clubs lies in the conditions related to the €10million by objectives.

Record wrote: "The Gyokeres soap has identified one more episode which is yet to have a happy ending. However, there is hope that everything is resolved by the weekend. Sporting and Arsenal are separated by €2.5m (£2.1m), a value considered very low given the deal could reach close to €80m."

What has been reported in Spain?

A report from Spanish newspaper AS offers a different outlook on the situation, claiming that Gyokeres is 'very close' to becoming a new Arsenal player.

Now, it's a yes: Arsenal gives in and unlocks Gyokeres.

The report reads: "After several days in which the deal had collapsed, the parties have now reached the point of finalising the transfer. There were tense moments—a soap opera that finally seems to be heading for a happy ending after briefly hitting a dead end. Gyökeres is set to become one of Arsenal’s major signings this summer.

"The attitude of Sporting Clube de Portugal president Frederico Varandas nearly derailed the agreement. He was determined to extract as much money as possible from the Gunners for Gyökeres' sale. In the end, a deal was struck with the London club for €63.5 million, plus a series of easily achievable bonuses that could increase the fee by another €10 million.

"Arsenal ultimately had to give in to Sporting’s demands. The Portuguese club had always valued the prolific Swedish striker at €100 million as a starting point for negotiations. While the final figures fall short of that, Sporting still secures a significant payout from Arsenal."

The coming hours will be crucial in determining the outcome of this transfer saga, as Arsenal race against time.

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