Manchester United are pushing for Viktor Gyokeres as Arsenal fade from the race, but Sporting CP are publicly claiming the striker will cost more than reported.
With Arsenal appearing to fade from the race, Manchester United are pushing for the signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP. Fabrizio Romano reports that United are calling on a daily basis for Gyokeres, with Juventus and Al-Hilal also making recent enquiries.
Yet all interested parties might be disappointed to discover that the player won’t be available for the €60-70m fee previously touted by the media.
At least, that’s what Sporting president Frederico Varandas is now claiming, citing a meeting between the president, former Sporting director Hugo Viana, and the player’s agent.
“What was decided in that meeting? That Sporting would not demand the (€100m) termination clause at the end of the following season,” Varandas said.
“Now I see the agent in the press releasing information here and there, but there is one thing I want to make clear. Sporting has good sense and its word. And the president of Sporting said two things: that Sporting would not demand the termination clause and that we would adjust the value to Viktor’s performance.
“And what was Viktor’s performance this year? 63 goals, 17 assists, runner-up in the [European Golden Shoe], six goals in eight Champions League games…even so, Sporting will not demand the release clause.
“They should know me better by now. Threats, blackmail, insults don’t work with me. And I can guarantee one thing: Viktor will not leave for 60 plus 10 million euros. I never promised. With this game that the agent is playing, the situation is only getting worse.”
Sporting have a strong negotiating position with Gyokeres, due to the player’s contract lasting until 2028. The only reason the striker was believed to be available for a relatively low fee was because reports suggested the Portuguese club had already agreed to it.
According to club president Varandas, the only thing they agreed is that Gyokeres won’t be held to his release clause. That means his potential fee will be less than €100m (£85m). Besides that, it’s not clear just how much the centre-forward might cost.
With any luck, Arsenal can avoid a potential bidding war for Gyokeres by securing their first-choice deal to sign Benjamin Sesko.