Viktor Gyokeres could be close to a move to Arsenal now that his season with Sporting Clube de Portugal has officially ended.
The Lions emerged victorious in the Portuguese Cup against fierce rivals Benfica last Sunday. Rui Borges’ team came back from being 1-0 down to winning 3-1 in extra-time.
Gyokeres was once again on the scoresheet, netting the equaliser from the penalty spot in the last minute of stoppage time. Conrad Harder and former Barcelona winger Francisco Trincao scored the other two goals
After their Liga Betclic title celebrations last week, kitman Paulinho revealed that ‘good news’ about the striker’s future would follow after the Cup final.
“You know what I’m going to tell you? After the Cup game you’ll hear some good news, ok? I don’t lie. Last year you saw that I don’t lie,” he told reporters.
After Sporting won the Liga Betclic last weekend, Gyökeres took to Instagram to share a series of photos from the occasion. He wrote: “First time was so nice, we had to do it twice.”
The post generated thousands of likes and comments, including one from a notable name: Declan Rice.
Speaking on Saturday, prior to the Portuguese Cup final with Benfica, Borges said : “In regards to Viktor, it’s very clear to see in his face that he’s very happy at Sporting. His commitment, he’s very connected with tomorrow (Sunday’s) game, he wants to score.
“He’s very focussed on the final – he’s a very happy player and is someone who knows they had a great season and it’s normal [the interest]. He’s the best striker in Europe and that reflects on his personal numbers, so he’s going to be attractive [to clubs] but he has a release clause.
“If at any moment he doesn’t leave Sporting, he will remain very happy here and be very connected to what is the team and Sporting. This is something he has always demonstrated.
After winning the Cup, Borges was once again quizzed about Gyokeres’ future. “I’m hopeful that he stays,” he added.
“I hope he stays, he is still under contract. But if he does leave, he deserves that, he’s given us a lot. He has an enormous attitude and is an example for all the whole team and I feel honoured to be his manager.
Let’s see, it’s football and we never know what might happen. To say something concrete is impossible,” the striker said after the game.
When asked about Arsenal’s interest, the Swede remarked: “I don’t know anything, I tried to remain focussed in the last games. If anything is true, we’ll see.
Yesterday, during dinner, we decided that he has to stay at Sporting,” Gyokeres’ uncle, Chris told Sport TV (via One Football): “I hope he stays because we love it, it’s just amazing, the country, the people and Sporting, we love it.
The Lions’ skipper Morten Hjulmand would like to see Gyokeres stay at the club. “I hope he stays,” he told Sport TV (via O Jogo ) Now, we’ll celebrate, then, we’ll see.
“You have to ask him. Him and Sporting are the ones to decide. He’s under contract.”
