The Swedish forward has attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Juventus, following an outstanding season in which he netted 54 goals in 52 appearances and played a key role in Sporting’s domestic league and cup triumph. ..Continue Reading
Sporting have indicated a willingness to sell Gyokeres for a fee below his €100 million release clause, but club president Frederico Varandas recently dismissed claims that a specific price had been agreed upon ahead of the transfer window.
Meanwhile, reports from Portugal suggest that Arsenal officials met with Gyokeres’ representative, Hasan Cetinkaya, to advance negotiations, with an official bid from the North London club expected soon.
Gyokeres has reportedly made it clear to his agent that Arsenal is his preferred destination over Manchester United, Chelsea, and Juventus.
CNN Portugal reporter Nuno Farinha said: ‘Arsenal are the club that Gyokeres has wanted from the very beginning.
‘Gyokeres wants to play for Arsenal, he has stated this desire very openly to his agent.
‘Officially, there has not been an offer yet, but there have been many contacts. This time, it seems that there will be [an offer].’
Speaking on Wednesday, Varandas told Gyokeres and his agent that he would not be ‘blackmailed’ into accepting a low offer for the striker.
‘It was agreed that Sporting would not demand the release clause at the end of the following season, especially because he was going to be 27,’ Varandas said.
‘Then, we knew Viktor’s dream of going to a club where he could fight for the Champions League and we have common sense. We guaranteed that we would not demand €100 million.
‘In that meeting, the agent wanted to anchor the departure to a value, he spoke of €60 million, €70 million… And I said “there’s no point in setting a value because I don’t know what will happen here in a year, if he gets injured, if he has a disappointing season.
‘There’s no point in setting a value, I don’t know if it will be €40m, €60m or €80m. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand €100 million”.
‘From then on, I never spoke to the agent again, I never spoke to the player about departures and values.
‘Ten months have passed and I see the agent in the press spouting information here and there, but Sporting has common sense, it keeps its word.
‘One thing you should already know is me better. Threats, blackmail and insults don’t work with me. I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m plus €10m 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 Gyokeres, neither today nor last season.’
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