Arsenal look set to solve their biggest squad deficiency as they are nearing a deal for striker Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP, with the 27-year-old close to arriving from the Portuguese club.

Gyokeres's impending transfer to North London had been slightly held up by a Sporting soap opera, as club president Frederico Varandas firstly denied the existence of a €70m (£60.7m) gentleman's agreement with the striker's camp.

Gyökeres has made it abundantly clear that he has no desire to return to Sporting, having refused to report for pre-season, while Sporting president Frederico Varandas has insisted he is happy to fine Gyökeres and keep him at the club if Arsenal do not meet their demands.