Pedro Goncalves has hinted that teammate Viktor Gyokeres is on the way out, with Mikel Arteta approving an Arsenal move and Sporting CP setting their price.
Sporting CP won the Liga Portugal over the weekend, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring yet another goal to help them to the title on the final day.
Speaking in the post-match celebrations, Sporting teammate Pedro Goncalves hinted that they expect Gyokeres not to be with the squad next season.
“They said we were never going to be champions without fans (during Covid), they said we were never going to be two-time champions without [Ruben] Amorim,” Goncalves began.
“They say we won’t be three-time champions without Viktor [Gyokeres]. And now, what I want to say is that we’ll see.”
Former clubs Coventry City and Brighton are reportedly set to benefit from a Gyokeres move, with Coventry holding a 10% sell-on clause and Brighton to receive 15% of the payout Coventry get.
Though the fee won’t be quite as high as it perhaps could have been, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Sporting agreed months ago that they would sell Gyokeres for a package around €65m – significantly less than his €100m release clause.
Romano claims talks are ongoing, and Sergio Andre of Portuguese outlet O Jogo writes that Arsenal are apparent favourites after Mikel Arteta gave his approval to the signing.
“It’s football, I’m still here,” Gyokeres said over the weekend. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. Nobody can predict the future.
“I’m focused now on celebrating this title and [trying to] win the Taça de Portugal.”
The Portuguese cup final takes place next Sunday, with Sporting taking on Benfica. After that, Gyokeres will likely turn his attentions to his next club.