Gyökeres has made it abundantly clear that he has no desire to return to Sporting, having refused to report for pre-season, while Sporting president Frederico Varandas has insisted he is happy to fine Gyökeres and keep him at the club if Arsenal do not meet their demands.

Viktor Gyokeres is nearing a transfer to Arsenal from Sporting CP and the Gunners want to get the deal over the line quickly for Mikel Arteta

Zubimendi and fellow new recruit Norgaard - a £15m signing from Brentford - are two new deep-lying midfielders that have been added to Aretta’s squad following the departures of Partey and Jorginho and their arrivals will allow Rice to operate more regularly in a No.8 position in midfield, while Odegaard continues in his playmaker role.