It was at that point that the entire saga took a turn. Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas accused Gyökeres’s agent of “blackmail” and rejected the existence of an agreement which would see the striker sold for well below his €100 million (£85.1 million, $115.4 million) release clause.

A Bola also claim Arsenal are ‘in a hurry’ to conclude the deal with Gyokeres also keen on the move to north London. Arsenal must now agree a fee with Sporting with club president Frederico Varandas yesterday accusing Gyokeres’ agent of trying to ‘threaten and blackmail’ the Portuguese champions.