Arsenal are being warned, with a deal in the pipeline, that Viktor Gyokeres will face “two or three” steps up in the Premier League.

Arsenal are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP. The news comes just days after the Swede refused to report for pre-season with the Portuguese side. Mikel Arteta has prioritised the 27-year-old as his new No. 9 and a five-year contract is ready, with The Athletic suggesting the deal is worth €73.5 million (£63.4m/$86m).

Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has confirmed that Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres will be subjected to disciplinary action after missing his scheduled return to pre-season training. The forward, who had been granted an extended break, was expected to report back to the club on Saturday, July 12, but was absent without any prior notification.

Viktor Gyokeres has escalated his transfer standoff with Sporting CP by not appearing for the club’s pre-season training, further fuelling speculation of an imminent move to Arsenal. The 27-year-old forward was expected to report to camp by 5pm local time on Saturday but failed to meet the deadline, prompting Sporting to consider disciplinary repercussions.

Viktor Gyokeres believes he is one of football's top strikers, saying he sits at the 'same table' as Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowksi and Erling Haaland.