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Arsenal's sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly stepped up the club's move for Viktor Gyokeres with face-to-face talks in Portugal.
The Gunners are closing on Sporting Lisbon striker Gyokeres in a deal worth up to £70million.
Now, the move is accelerating, with Berta having jetted out to Portugal to sit down with the prolific forward, according to CNN Portugal.
They report that the former Atletico Madrid chief flew there last week for discussions with Sporting and it is unclear if or when he returned.
As Mail Sport reported, Gyokeres came back into focus after RB Leipzig refused to budge sufficiently in their valuation of Benjamin Sesko.
Arsenal, who on Sunday confirmed the £60m signing of Spain international midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, are also poised to make an offer for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke after the England international's representatives agreed personal terms with the Gunners.
Viktor Gyokeres appears to be closing in on a £70million move to Arsenal
Andrea Berta jetted to Portugal to accelerate the move and talks have been progressing
Arsenal are in advanced talks with Sporting Lisbon for their prolific hit man up front
Chelsea want over £50m for Madueke and in the process have made a tentative enquiry for Arsenal's teenage winger Ethan Nwaneri who has still to agree terms on a new contract.
Arsenal remain hopeful they can keep the 18-year old as they look to find a compromise with his agents.
Sporting were reportedly concerned Gyokeres would follow through on his threat to go on strike instead of returning for pre-season training next week, but the situation now looks to be reaching a head after Arsenal held new talks over the weekend.
An irritated Gyokeres had accused Sporting of rowing back on an agreement to let him leave for £60m, to which club president Frederico Varandas said he had received no offers and vowed he would not succumb to 'blackmails and insults'.
The forward scored an incredible 97 goals in 102 games over the past two seasons in Portugal and is under contract until 2028.
He pushed back on lucrative approaches from Saudi Pro League sides Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah earlier this summer.
Gyokeres was also on Juventus' radar but the Serie A giants have missed out, too.
Initially, RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko looked to be Arsenal's primary target at No 9 but attention has shifted to Gyokeres. Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins was also considered.
Arsenal also hold an interest in Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze and Rodrygo of Real Madrid.
