'Great revenge!' - Viktor Gyokeres opens up on possible Premier League return as Arsenal's stance is revealed with gruelling Sporting transfer saga dragging on

The seemingly never-ending transfer saga has dominated back pages and column inches this summer, with Arsenal and Gyokeres both pushing Sporting to accept a deal. The Gunners remain upbeat in their pursuit, despite the Portuguese club insisting they reach their £70 million ($94m) valuation of the Swede, according to The Mirror. Gyokeres is now threatening to go on strike, in order to push through the transfer. He is not expected to report for pre-season training with his Sporting team-mates.

The 27-year-old is itching for a chance to prove himself in the Premier League. He told L'Equipe that he would love to play in the competition, after years of playing in England without tasting the top tier. Gyokeres was previously on the books at Brighton but never made an appearance for the club, and spent two seasons at Coventry, scoring 41 league goals in 110 appearances for the Sky Blues.

Despite reports he is willing to go on strike to push through a deal, the striker was non-committal when pushed over his immediate future. When asked if he plans to leave Portugal this summer, Gyokeres said: "Maybe. That’s football, you never know. I don’t think about it; we’ll see what happens. If something happens, it will. The most important thing for me is to play for a club that really wants me."

Gyokeres added: "I only think about scoring and winning. It changes everything. I spent several years there [Premier League] without being able to play a single match. So, of course, it's something I'd like to do. It would be great revenge!"

Gyokeres' expected decision not to report to pre-season training is the clearest indication yet that he will stop at nothing to force a move to England. Reports in the last few days suggested he may be willing to hear offers from Manchester United once again, but for some time, it has appeared north London was his preferred destination. Although this transfer saga shows no signs of coming to a close anytime soon, the willingness to push a deal through from both the player and the chasing club may finally produce some tangible progress in the coming weeks.