Gyokeres is a forward-thinking player who loves to run in behind, work the channels, and his first thought on the ball is whether he can shoot. However, he’s not an archetypal penalty-box poacher; aerial duels and receiving crosses aren’t his biggest strengths.

Despite agreeing the basic framework of a move for Gyökeres weeks ago, Arsenal and Sporting found themselves butting heads over the nature of the add-ons proposed by the Gunners, which invited pressure of a potential hijack from long-term admirers Manchester United.