Viktor Gyokeres and girlfriend 'make plan' on how to immediately spend new Arsenal wage

Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres may be on the brink of a transfer to Arsenal, but reports suggest he intends to maintain his ties with Portugal. The forward has spent two years in the Portuguese capital since signing from Coventry City.

Gyokeres has emerged as Arsenal's top target to address their striker problem, with manager Mikel Arteta keen to end the club's Premier League title drought. The Gunners have been working to finalise a £63.6million deal with Sporting. Although the move hasn't been completed, the Swedish striker has hinted at an imminent relocation by having a friend help clear out his Lisbon home. However, despite Gyokeres' possible big-money move to Arsenal, the 27-year-old is reportedly planning to continue building a home in Portugal.

CNN Portugal reported that a removal truck had been spotted at Gyokeres' house in the Costa de Caparica area on Thursday. Record then claimed that the move was managed by the striker's friend, who had travelled from Sweden to handle the logistics.

Removal vans were spotted loading up furniture at Gyokeres' residence. The forward is said to be in Stockholm awaiting updates on his transfer to Arsenal. Sporting are expected to impose penalties on the former Coventry star for missing pre-season training while negotiations are underway.

However, Portuguese broadcaster CMTV reported on its 'Noite das Estrelas' programme that Gyokeres and his girlfriend Ines Aguiar are still planning to build a home in the Sesimbra region of Lisbon. The relationship between Gyokeres and the Portuguese actress, which began in January 2024, is said to be strong, despite recent rumours of a split.

Gyokeres has been a sensation since his move to Lisbon, having previously established himself as one of the Championship's top forwards during his stint at Coventry. He has netted 97 goals in 102 matches for Sporting in all competitions, propelling the club to two league championships and the Taca de Portugal.

His impressive scoring record has attracted attention from Manchester United, Juventus and clubs in the Saudi Pro League this summer. However, Arsenal are leading the race for his signature as they continue their spending spree.

The Gunners have already brought in Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and former Brentford skipper Christian Norgaard to strengthen their midfield. Winger Noni Madueke finalised his move from Chelsea on Friday, while goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga also arrived from Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

Arsenal will hope Gyokeres's pending arrival can bridge the gap with title-holders Liverpool, who have been very active in the transfer market themselves. Sporting's president Frederico Varandas has made it clear that Gyokeres' absence from pre-season will not speed up any transfer talks.

"We're calm. Everything will be resolved with the closing of the market, a heavy fine, and an apology to the group," Varandas said to the Lusa news agency. "If they (interested clubs) don't want to pay fair market value for Viktor, we are very comfortable with that for the next three years.

"If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to facilitate the exit, they are not only completely wrong but are also making the player's exit even more complicated. No one is above the club's interests, whoever they may be."