Viktor Gyokeres demand made by Mikel Arteta with feelings clear over Arsenal transfer deadline

Arsenal managerMikel Arteta has reportedly given the club a strict deadline of less than two weeks to finalise a transfer forViktor Gyokeres – or find an alternative striking option.

The north London side are eager to bolster their attack as they aim to narrow the gap between themselves and league champions Liverpoolwho finished 10 points ahead of Arteta's side last season.

The race to enhance Arsenal's attacking options has led them to consider several options, including RB Leipzig's Benjamin Seskoand Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, but Sporting CP's Gyokeres now stands out as the prime target.

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There are whispers that the Gunners might be edging closer to a deal with the Swedish frontman after personal terms were reportedly agreed upon. Now, the ball is in Sporting's court as they hold out for a fee in the region of £69million (€80m).

Arteta appears to be pressing for urgency, with the Daily Mail indicating he desires the deal to be sealed before the team departs for their pre-season Asian tour in Singapore, which kicks off on July 19.

This deadline crunch means most negotiation hurdles will have to be overcome starting from the week of July 14, putting pressure on Arsenal to rapidly agree on the finer points of a deal, reports the Mirror. Andrea Berta, who is conducting his first transfer window as Arsenal's sporting director, has some important work ahead of him.

Meanwhile, Sporting's president Federico Varandas doesn't seem pressured by the situation surrounding Gyokeres and specifically mentioned Arsenal in remarks regarding the potential sale, comfortably stating: "Sporting is calm regarding this matter.

"Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyokeres. Fortunately, we have moved past the phase of selling our main asset. However, we remain sensitive to Viktor's dreams or those of any other athlete.

"Sporting has made a commitment that, after weeks of meetings, we will not demand the full amount of the clause; we will be reasonable regarding the amount requested for Viktor.

"Today, there is a strong likelihood that he will leave. I won't disclose the amount, but the player knows what it is. I can say that Viktor will not leave for 60+10m. He won't leave, absolutely not.

"In recent weeks, we have been paying attention. I saw a player, Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, go for 65 million, and I saw Matheus Cunha move to Manchester United for around 75 million euros.

"We are talking about players who are 26 years old. I believe Viktor could leave, unless he has the worst agent in the world, which I don't believe, as his agent is one of the best in the world."

Meanwhile, Arsenal are also closing in on other targets, with Martin Zubimendi's transfer seemingly imminent and Valencia's Cristhian Mosquera pushing for a move after rejecting a new contract.