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Viktor Gyokeres, a striker from Sweden, is expected to leave Sporting this weekend for Arsenal.

A £63.5m deal was in its final stages, according to reports from BBC Sport, but it only stalled because of club discussions regarding add-on terms.

The 27-year-old is expected to sign a five-year contract with Arsenal and sign a contract with the club in the coming days after receiving permission to travel to finish his medical.

The first leg of their Asia-focused pre-season tour begins in Singapore, where the Arsenal squad is staying.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he “cannot talk about a player who is not ours yet,” but that any new signing would make the most of the tour.

“For sure,” he said. We want to integrate a player with the team as quickly as possible after we have finished everything, according to Arteta.

“With Noni]Madueke, it was impossible because he needed time [after playing in the Club World Cup]. He’ll probably take a shorter vacation than he deserves because he wants to join us right away when we return.

I believe that getting them to start collaborating with the team, getting to know each other, and having the ideas we want to have in mind is better done right away.

After scoring 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season, Gyokeres has been in demand for summer transfers.

After reaching an impasse in their bid to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, BBC Sport revealed earlier this month that Arsenal had turned their attention to him.

After his team finished 10 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League, Arteta has been desperate to add an elite centre-forward.

With the signing of England winger Madueke, 23, from Chelsea last week, the Spanish manager expanded his attacking options overall.

Gyokeres, a former Brighton and Coventry striker, helped Sporting win back-to-back Premier League titles in 97 games over the course of his two years in Portugal.

One of the most prolific strikers in the Championship was him when he was at Coventry.

In 116 games for the Sky Blues, he made 43 goals and was named in their 2022-23 championship team for the year. He signed for Sporting for about £20 million that summer.

Nigeria bid for a record-extending 10th continental title when they face hosts Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) on Saturday.

Both sides are unbeaten and the West Africans have only conceded one goal in five matches on their journey to the 21,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

Runners-up in that same stadium in 2022, Morocco are looking for redemption.

Should the Atlas Lionesses lift the trophy for the first time it would offer some return on the vast investment the kingdom has poured into the women’s game in recent years.

Picking a favourite is not easy, with neither side making a compelling case in the semi-finals.

The North Africans, who have Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda in the dugout, needed penalty kicks to get past Ghana, while Nigeria, the continent’s top-ranked side, scored a stoppage-time winner to knock out defending champions South Africa.

Confidence, however, is high in the Super Falcons camp, with their campaign branded as ‘Mission X’.

“Mission X – that’s what this entire tournament was about,” defender Michelle Alozie told BBC Sport Africa.

“It’s going all the way to the final and winning it. We’re growing as a team and I think that shows every game.”

The winners will pick up $1m (£743,000) in prize money as well as the new-look Wafcon trophy.

Morocco returned to Wafcon for the first time since 2000 when the country hosted the 2022 edition, but the hosts, who will also stage the 2026 finals in March, have now firmly established themselves as one of the continent’s elite sides.

However, their performances this month have not been as convincing as three years ago, given they fell behind twice against Zambia in the opening game and then trailed Ghana at half-time in the last four.

Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi has looked shaky on several occasions, 34-year-old star player and captain Ghizlane Chebbak has faded in the knockout stage and winger Sanaa Mssoudy has not displayed the level of trickery and impact which saw her named as the best player at last year’s Women’s African Champions League and in the 2024-25 Moroccan league campaign.

Yet Chebbak, the joint-top scorer in the tournament with four goals, is still capable of producing in crucial moments and striker Ibtissam Jraidi provides a cutting edge up front.

“I’ve seen a Moroccan team that doesn’t really give up even when they are trailing,” Desire Oparanozie, a four-time Wafcon winner with Nigeria, told BBC Sport Africa.

“They’ve been very impressive. They keep coming at you and that’s really a positive thing.”

Vilda’s appointment was controversial, given he left the Spain job amid the fallout from an incident at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final when then-federation president Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso without her consent.

Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault and fined, while Vilda was cleared of allegations of coercion.

Yet his presence in the Morocco dugout has divided supporters – even if he could create history by helping a North African side win Wafcon for the first time while also achieving a unique personal double.

“Morocco are going to need a coach to make them more than the sum of their parts to win this final,” Algerian journalist Maher Mezahi told the BBC World Service.

Meanwhile, Nigeria, who have long been the dominant force in African women’s football, have not been shy in expressing their intentions of reclaiming the title they last won in 2018.

The country’s football federation announced Mission X before the finals and it has been a hot topic during media engagements with players.

Coach Justin Madugu has found a balance to his side which has displayed physicality at the back, dominance in midfield and a potent front three spearheaded by Esther Okoronkwo’s intelligent build-up play.

The Super Falcons’ threat from across the pitch is underlined by having nine different goalscorers, and the side ground out a victory against South Africa when right-back Alozie was the unlikely match-winner.

“We’re born with the zeal to fight and want to win every game,” forward Okoronkwo told BBC Sport Africa.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who has signed for Women’s Super League side Brighton, has rarely been tested and the only time she has been beaten thus far was from the penalty spot.

A capacity crowd is expected in the Moroccan capital yet Oparanozie does not anticipate that overwhelming support for the hosts will affect her compatriots.

“Nigeria is known for big moments like this,” the 31-year-old said.

“In 2016 we played against the host nation Cameroon [in the final]. The stadium was filled to 40,000 capacity and that didn’t stop Nigeria from winning.”

The 2024 tournament, delayed for a year because of scheduling issues, has seen the continent’s lowest ranked sides cause issues for those above them, but the final is still the one many predicted.

If Morocco can bridge a gap of 24 places in the world rankings – and hand Nigeria their first ever final defeat – it will put a new name on the Wafcon trophy.

Nigeria bid for a record-extending 10th continental title when they face hosts Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) on Saturday.

Both sides are unbeaten and the West Africans have only conceded one goal in five matches on their journey to the 21,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

Runners-up in that same stadium in 2022, Morocco are looking for redemption.

Should the Atlas Lionesses lift the trophy for the first time it would offer some return on the vast investment the kingdom has poured into the women’s game in recent years.

Picking a favourite is not easy, with neither side making a compelling case in the semi-finals.

The North Africans, who have Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda in the dugout, needed penalty kicks to get past Ghana, while Nigeria, the continent’s top-ranked side, scored a stoppage-time winner to knock out defending champions South Africa.

Confidence, however, is high in the Super Falcons camp, with their campaign branded as ‘Mission X’.

“Mission X – that’s what this entire tournament was about,” defender Michelle Alozie told BBC Sport Africa.

“It’s going all the way to the final and winning it. We’re growing as a team and I think that shows every game.”

The winners will pick up $1m (£743,000) in prize money as well as the new-look Wafcon trophy.

Morocco returned to Wafcon for the first time since 2000 when the country hosted the 2022 edition, but the hosts, who will also stage the 2026 finals in March, have now firmly established themselves as one of the continent’s elite sides.

However, their performances this month have not been as convincing as three years ago, given they fell behind twice against Zambia in the opening game and then trailed Ghana at half-time in the last four.

Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi has looked shaky on several occasions, 34-year-old star player and captain Ghizlane Chebbak has faded in the knockout stage and winger Sanaa Mssoudy has not displayed the level of trickery and impact which saw her named as the best player at last year’s Women’s African Champions League and in the 2024-25 Moroccan league campaign.

Yet Chebbak, the joint-top scorer in the tournament with four goals, is still capable of producing in crucial moments and striker Ibtissam Jraidi provides a cutting edge up front.

“I’ve seen a Moroccan team that doesn’t really give up even when they are trailing,” Desire Oparanozie, a four-time Wafcon winner with Nigeria, told BBC Sport Africa.

“They’ve been very impressive. They keep coming at you and that’s really a positive thing.”

Vilda’s appointment was controversial, given he left the Spain job amid the fallout from an incident at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final when then-federation president Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso without her consent.

Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault and fined, while Vilda was cleared of allegations of coercion.

Yet his presence in the Morocco dugout has divided supporters – even if he could create history by helping a North African side win Wafcon for the first time while also achieving a unique personal double.

“Morocco are going to need a coach to make them more than the sum of their parts to win this final,” Algerian journalist Maher Mezahi told the BBC World Service.

Meanwhile, Nigeria, who have long been the dominant force in African women’s football, have not been shy in expressing their intentions of reclaiming the title they last won in 2018.

The country’s football federation announced Mission X before the finals and it has been a hot topic during media engagements with players.

Coach Justin Madugu has found a balance to his side which has displayed physicality at the back, dominance in midfield and a potent front three spearheaded by Esther Okoronkwo’s intelligent build-up play.

The Super Falcons’ threat from across the pitch is underlined by having nine different goalscorers, and the side ground out a victory against South Africa when right-back Alozie was the unlikely match-winner.

“We’re born with the zeal to fight and want to win every game,” forward Okoronkwo told BBC Sport Africa.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who has signed for Women’s Super League side Brighton, has rarely been tested and the only time she has been beaten thus far was from the penalty spot.

A capacity crowd is expected in the Moroccan capital yet Oparanozie does not anticipate that overwhelming support for the hosts will affect her compatriots.

“Nigeria is known for big moments like this,” the 31-year-old said.

“In 2016 we played against the host nation Cameroon [in the final]. The stadium was filled to 40,000 capacity and that didn’t stop Nigeria from winning.”

The 2024 tournament, delayed for a year because of scheduling issues, has seen the continent’s lowest ranked sides cause issues for those above them, but the final is still the one many predicted.

If Morocco can bridge a gap of 24 places in the world rankings – and hand Nigeria their first ever final defeat – it will put a new name on the Wafcon trophy.

Manchester City are set to re-sign England Under-21 goalkeeper James Trafford for £27m, two years after he left to join Burnley.

The 22-year-old City academy graduate signed for the Clarets in a deal worth up to £19m in July 2023.

He impressed last season as Scott Parker’s side won promotion back to the Premier League – keeping 29 clean sheets across 45 Championship games – and was named in the division’s team of the year.

City had a buy-back clause for Trafford and also matching rights, allowing them to match any offer from another club.

They have done so following Newcastle’s £27m bid – and Trafford has opted for a return to Manchester.

He will be the fourth goalkeeper at manager Pep Guardiola’s disposal, with Ederson, Stefan Ortega and Marcus Bettinelli already at the club.

It is anticipated Trafford will challenge Brazil’s Ederson, who has been first choice for eight years, for the number one spot.

Ederson is in the final year of his contract and has been linked with a move to Galatasaray, but last month described rumours of a departure “99% fake news”.

City have not received any bids for the 31-year-old, but there are doubts about the future of German Ortega given the increased competition for game time once Trafford arrives.

Trafford signed for City’s academy in 2015 but did not make a first-team appearance and spent time on loan at Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers.

He has appeared for Burnley 73 times, including 28 in the Premier League in the 2023-24 season.

Trafford has represented England from Under-17 to Under-21 level, and was part of the winning European Championship squad of 2023, during which he kept six clean sheets and did not concede a goal.

He received his first senior international call-up in 2024 but has yet to make his debut at that level.

If he returns to the Etihad he will be City’s sixth signing of the window after midfielders Tijjani Reijnders (initial fee of £46.5m), Rayan Cherki (initial fee of £30.5m) and Sverre Nypan (£12.5m); left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri (£31m) and Bettinelli (nominal fee).

Manchester City insert buy-back clauses when they sell players yet tend not to activate them when those academy products move on.

But this is an example of why they put them in the deals, as it has proven helpful in the ability to buy back a talented player on this occasion.

Having served an impressive apprenticeship at Turf Moor, City believe they can develop him into a top goalkeeper – one who is already ready for the Premier League.

Trafford conceded just 16 league goals with Burnley last term and kept a Championship-best 30 clean sheets, equalling Port Vale’s Football League record which was set 71 years ago.

He also set a new Championship record of 12 consecutive shutouts between December and February before he was finally beaten in a 2-1 victory at Cardiff City at the start of March.

But despite his stellar performances in the second tier last season, the 22-year-old lacks a degree of top-flight experience and only 28 of his 153 senior appearances have been in the Premier League.

Trafford’s shot-stopping is undoubtedly first rate and his save percentage stands at almost 85% last season.

That figure far exceeds the numbers posted by both Ederson and Stefan Ortega, although Trafford was largely facing inferior opposition at Championship level.

But he will have to develop his distribution if he is to fit into Guardiola’s side and system as his pass completion of 70% is comfortably lower than that of Manchester City’s current goalkeepers.

Manchester City are set to re-sign England Under-21 goalkeeper James Trafford for £27m, two years after he left to join Burnley.

The 22-year-old City academy graduate signed for the Clarets in a deal worth up to £19m in July 2023.

He impressed last season as Scott Parker’s side won promotion back to the Premier League – keeping 29 clean sheets across 45 Championship games – and was named in the division’s team of the year.

City had a buy-back clause for Trafford and also matching rights, allowing them to match any offer from another club.

They have done so following Newcastle’s £27m bid – and Trafford has opted for a return to Manchester.

He will be the fourth goalkeeper at manager Pep Guardiola’s disposal, with Ederson, Stefan Ortega and Marcus Bettinelli already at the club.

It is anticipated Trafford will challenge Brazil’s Ederson, who has been first choice for eight years, for the number one spot.

Ederson is in the final year of his contract and has been linked with a move to Galatasaray, but last month described rumours of a departure “99% fake news”.

City have not received any bids for the 31-year-old, but there are doubts about the future of German Ortega given the increased competition for game time once Trafford arrives.

Trafford signed for City’s academy in 2015 but did not make a first-team appearance and spent time on loan at Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers.

He has appeared for Burnley 73 times, including 28 in the Premier League in the 2023-24 season.

Trafford has represented England from Under-17 to Under-21 level, and was part of the winning European Championship squad of 2023, during which he kept six clean sheets and did not concede a goal.

He received his first senior international call-up in 2024 but has yet to make his debut at that level.

If he returns to the Etihad he will be City’s sixth signing of the window after midfielders Tijjani Reijnders (initial fee of £46.5m), Rayan Cherki (initial fee of £30.5m) and Sverre Nypan (£12.5m); left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri (£31m) and Bettinelli (nominal fee).

Manchester City insert buy-back clauses when they sell players yet tend not to activate them when those academy products move on.

But this is an example of why they put them in the deals, as it has proven helpful in the ability to buy back a talented player on this occasion.

Having served an impressive apprenticeship at Turf Moor, City believe they can develop him into a top goalkeeper – one who is already ready for the Premier League.

Trafford conceded just 16 league goals with Burnley last term and kept a Championship-best 30 clean sheets, equalling Port Vale’s Football League record which was set 71 years ago.

He also set a new Championship record of 12 consecutive shutouts between December and February before he was finally beaten in a 2-1 victory at Cardiff City at the start of March.

But despite his stellar performances in the second tier last season, the 22-year-old lacks a degree of top-flight experience and only 28 of his 153 senior appearances have been in the Premier League.

Trafford’s shot-stopping is undoubtedly first rate and his save percentage stands at almost 85% last season.

That figure far exceeds the numbers posted by both Ederson and Stefan Ortega, although Trafford was largely facing inferior opposition at Championship level.

But he will have to develop his distribution if he is to fit into Guardiola’s side and system as his pass completion of 70% is comfortably lower than that of Manchester City’s current goalkeepers.