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Arsenal look set to miss a key deadline to sign Viktor Gyokeres.
The transfer is still expected to go through, it just has not happened as quickly as manager Mikel Arteta wanted it to.
Gyokeres has long been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium and it seems as if this summer the Gunners will finally get their man, with the 26-year-old set to arrive as Arteta's big-money striker signing.
Arsenal have agreed a fee worth up to £63.4million with Sporting CP for the prolific hitman, with £55million of that guaranteed and a further £8.4million in add-ons.
However, the transfer has yet to be concluded, with the two clubs negotiating over the breakdown of the figure - how much willbe paid up front and what the instalments will be.
The Gunners have been crying out for a new striker for some time now, with the situation exacerbated last season when midfielder Mikel Merino had to play as a makeshift centre-forward due to injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
But while a deal should be completed in the coming days, Arsenal have missed a deadline set by Arteta.
The Arsenal boss wanted Gyokeres in the door before the club flew out to Asia for their pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong, to give the Swedish striker the most amount of time to bed in with his new teammates as possible.
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Arsenal fly out to Singpaore on Saturday and with no confirmation of a transfer being compelted, Gyokeres will not be on the plane - unless there is an incredible transfer reveal in the photos of the squad boarding the plane!
The Gunners face AC Milan on Wednesday, July 23, with a clash against Newcastle on Sunday, July 27. If Gyokeres is not signed as yet, the Milan game looks unlikely, but facing Newcastle could be realistic, with a North London Derby with Tottenham in Hong Kong soon after that on Thursday, July 31.
After the pre-season tour of Asia, the Gunners will play Villarreal and Athletic Club at Emirates Stadium so there still would be time for Gyokeres to get used to his new surroundings.
Sporting have already played two pre-season friendlies themselves but Gyokeres was not among the players to feature. In fact, the Swedish frontman has failed to report for pre-season at all as he looks to force through a move to Emirates Stadium.
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