A SHOOTING and alleged blackmail plot are being investigated by cops for links to Arsenal’s £64million signing of striker Viktor Gyokeres after a bitter transfer battle.
The relative of an agent connected to the drawn-out deal was caught in the double blast in Stockholm, Sweden.
Frederico Varandas, president at the Swedish star’s former club, Sporting Lisbon, said “blackmail and insults” would not force him to agree to a deal before the player signed for the Gunners.
Police in Sweden — facing rising levels of gang crime — were trying to establish if the shooting and alleged plot to wring out cash were linked to the transfer.
Detectives were looking into whether two shots fired in Huddinge near Stockholm were an attempt to murder a family member of an agent who had connections with the deal.
The relative is thought to have bragged about receiving a slice of the £64million signing fee — possibly triggering the claims that he was being “pressured for money” in a blackmail bid.
Police dashed to the shooting scene after locals reported hearing banging outside. No one was injured.
Last night an agent of the Arsenal striker did not confirm or deny if he was a victim of blackmail, but said: “It is a very vulnerable industry where things like this unfortunately occur.”
He was reported as saying: “This shooting has nothing to do with me or football.”
Per Engström, section chief at the Swedish police’s operational department, said criminals had targeted football agencies in recent years because they handle large sums of money.
He added: “We have warned about it. But the criminals have started using young people as perpetrators.
“They take on assignments to blackmail or intimidate people. It is a growing problem, several branches of society will be affected.”
Before Gyokeres signed his five-year Arsenal deal, Sporting Lisbon president Varandas said: “Blackmail and insults, Sporting will not accept.”
It was said that Gyokeres was willing to go on strike as he believed the Portuguese club had gone back on its word over the fee they were willing to accept for a move.
The Arsenal deal concluded the long-running saga after the frontman was linked with Manchester United.
He failed to report back at Sporting for pre-season earlier this month — and Varandas said the player would face disciplinary action.
