Arsenal-bound Viktor Gyokeres slammed for 'reprehensible' decision to leave Sporting

Gyokeres is closing in on a move to Arsenal, with a £64 million ($86.5m) deal being agreed. The Sweden international moves to the Gunners on the back of a season in which he scored a staggering 54 goals in all competitions.

Now, Laurindo Filho, a football coach and pundit in Portugal, has slammed the Sweden international for turning his back on the chance to become a "legendary figure" at the Portuguese club, and also criticised his conduct as he forced through a move to north London.

Filho told A Bola: “Precisely that lack of professionalism, that lack of character in my opinion, on the part of the Swede. In the end, that’s what will remain.

“It’s not just about goals, but about helping the club win titles again. As with everything in life, time ends up being a good counsellor. And Gyökeres, who could have been a legendary figure at Sporting, will now be remembered only as a great goalscorer.”

He added: “It’s difficult to place Gyökeres among Sporting’s immortals when his professional and human conduct was reprehensible.

“Sporting has, for example, Manuel Fernandes as one of its symbols, and Gyökeres will never be beside him in the club’s history. But he could have been, had he known how to act and carry himself throughout this process.”

Arsenal play Newcastle in their next pre-season friendly this Sunday. It remains to be seen if Gyokeres will be involved.