The future of Arsenal transfer target Viktor Gyokeres has taken another twist, with reports in Portugal claiming a second clause in the player’s contract could impact a summer move.
Arsenal’s transfer priority in the summer window is to bring a striker to the club. The Gunners have been long-term admirers of Gyokeres, who has caught the attention of Europe with his goalscoring exploits with Sporting.
In the 2024/25 season he scored 54 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions while providing a further 13 assists. It’s no surprise then that Arsenal face competition for his signature, most notably from Premier League rivals Manchester United.
It has been reported for the last few months that Sporting have an agreement with the player to let him go for a fee in the region of €70 million (£60m) this summer, below the €100 million (£84m) release clause in his contract
However, it seems that the Portuguese club may have gone back on that agreement, reportedly leaving Gyokeres ‘furious’ . Sporting president Federico hit back , stating: “One thing is that you should already know me better. Threats, blackmail and insults don’t work with me.
“I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m plus €10m (£50m plus £8.5m) in add-ons because I never promised him that.
Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya then responded: “We have written proof that Sporting promised him that they would let him leave for €60m plus 10m,” he told Swedish outlet Aftonbladet.
Following those comments, it was claimed that Sporting would now accept the lower offer should it come in from Arsenal or any other club. Latest reports in Portugal may also help to explain the latest U-turn by Sporting.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Gyokeres’ agent included an option clause in his contract that allows him to demand 10 percent of the fee offered if Sporting reject a bid of more than £51 million for the player.
If Gyokeres activates that clause, then Sporting are reportedly threatening to refuse to sell him for anything less than his release clause. If that’s the case, then the player could demand a fee from any of the rejected bids that came in, should they be over £51 million.
It’s a saga that looks like it could continue for some time yet.
