Viktor Gyokeres subject to brutal messages from Sporting fans amid Arsenal transfer saga

Viktor Gyokeres’ once adoring fans at Sporting CP appear to have turned on him as his move to Arsenal edges ever closer.

The 27-year-old has been at loggerheads with the senior figures at the Lisbon-based club this summer over his protracted £63.5million move to north London.

The Swede, who scored an incredible 97 goals in 102 games for the reigning Portuguese champions, refused to return to pre-season training last Friday.

It comes after Gyokeres made his intentions clear that he will not be returning to the club.

Sporting president Frederico Varandas subsequently threatened the striker with disciplinary action, but it appears that Gyokeres will get the move he has been angling for.

However it has not come without Sporting fans appearing to vent their frustration at the former Coventry striker.

Gyokeres, once revered by the club’s supporters, has been targeted by frustrated fans keen to voice their displeasure at how the centre-forward’s exit is due to play out.

During Sporting’s opening pre-season friendly against Celtic at the Estadio Algarve on Wednesday, fans unfurled two banners appearing to take aim at Gyokeres.

In the match that Celtic went on to win 2-0, fans stuck it to the outgoing striker while standing firmly behind their club.

The first banner read: “I don’t cry for those who leave, I’m happy for those who stay.”

Fans revealed another banner during the second half, with the message saying: “No one is above the club’s interests, no matter who they are.”

talkSPORT talks are advanced between Arsenal and Sporting as they look to finalise the structure of the add-ons.

Arsenal have already secured the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga for a combined fee of £70m.

And there looks set to be another trio of fresh faces through the door over the next week with Chelsea winger Noni Madueke and Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera set to join Gyokeres at the Emirates.

There may still be more incomings with the Gunners still tracking Crystal Palace’s FA Cup hero Eberechi Eze.

Sporting director Andrea Berta has endured a busy summer of dealings to ensure boss Mikel Arteta has his key targets in place ahead of the club’s pre-season tour.

The Gunners have already waved goodbye to a host of stars including Jorginho, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney.

Thomas Partey left the club when his contract expired last month and there may still be further exits on the cards with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson all facing uncertain futures.