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Arsenal are reportedly weighing up the possibility of excusing summer transfer target Viktor Gyokeres from their pre-season tour - should they fail to strike an agreement. The Gunners continue to negotiate with Sporting CP over the blockbuster signing of the talisman but may be forced into a decision, if they cannot reach an agreement before early next week.
It has been claimed that both clubs have already verbally agreed on a deal worth an initial £55million plus £8.6m in bonuses. However, reports suggest that the delay in the agreement was due to a difference in the deal over the structure of the add-ons.
According to The Mirror, should the delay continue, Mikel Arteta may consider leaving the Sweden international behind entirely from their pre-season tour of Asia.
Arsenal set off on their 13-hour flight to Singapore yesterday but summer signing Noni Madueke was also not among them due to his extended break, for his involvement in Chelsea's Club World Cup win.
In their report, the outlet adds that Gyokeres is still waiting on the green light to travel to the capital for his medical and is eager to join up with his new teammates as soon as possible.
It has been widely reported that Arteta was keen on adding his talismanic signing before the Asian stretch of the pre-season tour.
However, it has been said that the North London club may be reluctant to allow the Sweden international to travel on his own to Asia in a bit-part role during their preparations - should the impasse continue.
Should they fail to reach an agreement before early next week, the Mirror adds, Gyokeres is likely to carry out an individual training schedule.
Already, he has been working with personal trainer Giannis Katsigiannis and reports elsewhere have suggested that Gyokeres has been left angered and disappointed by his current club after it was claimed that Sporting had broken a pact to allow him to leave.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas said last month: "I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for 60m euros plus 10m euros because I never promised that.
"To this day Sporting has not had an offer for Gyokeres - neither today nor last season.
"One of the agent's biggest concerns was whether we would demand the termination clause.
"He wanted to guarantee certain things. And what was agreed? That Sporting would not demand a release clause now.
"For one reason: he was going to be 27 years old and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for 100m euros or 90m euros.
"In that same meeting the agent wanted to anchor the exit to a value. I said this sentence: 'It's not worth us setting a value because I don't know what will happen in a year's time.
"I don't know if it will be 40m euros, 60m euros or 80m euros. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand 100m euros.'"
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