Sporting president refuses to budge on asking price as Juventus scramble to raise funds, but Arsenal’s pursuit continues despite controversy in Portugal.
Under pressure to strengthen their attack, Juventus are reportedly planning a fire sale to fund a bid for Viktor Gyökeres, but the Sporting CP striker is still holding out for a move to Arsenal, despite Portuguese newspaper Record accusing the Premier League club of colluding with the player’s agent to exploit a disputed release clause.
Yes, indeed, silly season is truly underway.
Juventus have yet to table a formal offer, but are reportedly preparing a package worth around £68 million plus performance bonuses, as they scramble to match Sporting’s €80 million valuation. According to Corriere dello Sport, up to eight players could be sold to bankroll the move, including Dusan Vlahovic, Douglas Luiz, and Mattia Perin, the first two of whom have been previously linked with Arsenal.
However, Record deputy director Vítor Pinto stirred controversy when he claimed on air: “The collusion between Gyökeres’ agent and Arsenal was all well and good until the secret clause was discovered.”
Sporting president Frederico Varandas strongly denies any such clause exists. “Sporting will not demand the termination clause, but they should know me better by now: threats, blackmail and insults with me do not work. One thing I can guarantee: Viktor Gyökeres will not leave for €60 million plus €10 million,” he said.
The clause in question, allegedly agreed in a September meeting between agent Hasan Çetinkaya and former Sporting director Hugo Viana, would have allowed the striker to leave for that amount. Sporting say Gyökeres was not present, nor was any agreement formally ratified.
Arsenal’s only formal offer so far is understood to have been £47 million plus £8.5 million in add-ons. Talks have resumed this week, with sources in Portugal and England both now suggesting a second bid is imminent.
Arsenal reportedly remain Gyökeres’s preferred destination. The 27-year-old is apparently frustrated with Sporting’s stance, described as “in rupture” by Jornal de Notícias. Despite interest from Manchester United, Atlético Madrid, and Saudi Arabia, only Arsenal have made a move.
Sporting’s leverage is complicated by an internal clause that entitles Çetinkaya to 10 percent of any offer above €60 million that is rejected. This, combined with the agent’s allegations that Sporting leaked medical records to try and derail the transfer, has escalated tensions behind the scenes.
Gyökeres has so far refused to comment beyond a brief Instagram post: “There’s a lot to be said right now, much of it false. I’ll speak when it’s appropriate.”
Juventus, meanwhile, remain desperate. Vlahovic, Luiz, Filip Kostić, Daniele Rugani, and others could depart to fund the deal, but even a £100 million war chest may not be enough if Gyökeres holds firm in his desire to join Mikel Arteta’s project in north London.