The situation surrounding Viktor Gyokeres is really starting to spiral as he pushes to leave Sporting Lisbon. Gyokeres scored 54 goals in 52 games in all competitions for Sporting this season, but is now keen to move on and test himself in the Premier League.
The Sweden international snubbed a move to Saudi Arabia and Al Hilal this week, which would’ve earned him in the region of £500k-per-week. Both Manchester United – where former mentor Ruben Amorim – and Arsenal are pursuing a new No.9 this summer, and Gyokeres is keen to join either.
As he does so, the fallout in Portugal is getting increasingly bitter. It has been claimed that Gyokeres is willing to go on strike to force a move away from Sporting after suggestions they’ve been increasing their asking price in talks with potential buyers, having, it’s claimed by the Gyokeres camp, to sell him for a set fee.
To that end, Gyokeres has an £85million release clause in his contract, but his representatives have claimed a deal worth a total £59m had been agreed with Sporting chiefs and that that was what they are expecting him to be sold for this summer.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas hit out in response, insisting he would not be bullied into selling his club’s prized asset: “Threats, blackmail and insults don’t work with me.
“I can guarantee that Viktor Gyökeres will not leave for €60m+10m (£51m+£8.5m) because I never promised him that. This game that the agent is playing only makes the situation worse. To this day, Sporting has not had an offer for Viktor Gyökeres, neither today nor last season
Gyokeres himself followed that up on social media, declaring: “There is a lot of talk at the moment, most of it is false. I will speak when the time is right
Now, Gyokeres’ agent, Hakan Cetinkaya, had appeared to come out – according to Swedish media – and claim that he has written proof of the £59m agreement. Except he didn’t say it. Gyokeres representative didn’t make the comment, as first reported by Record
Which leaves the whole situation just looking increasingly messy. And for the two Premier League clubs who may be interested – United are prioritising Bryan Mbeumo before moving onto a No.9 while Arsenal are understood to prefer Benjamin Sesko over Gyokeres – it’s looking increasingly expensive too.
