Strike(r): Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal Football Newsletter
According to reports in Portugal, the 27-year-old Swede believes he has a deal with his current employers that will let him depart the Jose Alvalade Stadium should an offer of €60million plus €10m (£58m) arrive.
That, however, has now been publicly disregarded by Sporting chief Varandas, which has reportedly left Gyokeres feeling ‘furious’ that a promise to him made at the beginning of the season has been broken.
After “days” of speculation, Varandas has moved to clarify the club’s stance and asking price for Gyokeres, and taken aim at the player’s agent.
"I tried to take three days off, I came back yesterday,” he said, via Portuguese journalist Sebastiao Sousa-Pinto. “I saw so much information and counter-information that it is only fair to come and explain the process.
“It started last year, when the season ended and Sporting became national champions. During the transfer market we saw that he was going to stay because there was no offer. The agent spoke to us to add some clauses. [Sporting’s former sporting director] Hugo Viana, as he always did, and very well, managed the relationship with the agents.
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“One of the agent's biggest concerns was whether we would demand the termination clause. Hugo Viana negotiated with the agents over several meetings until the agent demanded the presence of the president. At this meeting, which included the president, the agent and Viana, Gyokeres was not present. He wanted to guarantee certain things.
“And what was agreed? That Sporting would not demand a release clause now. For one reason: he was going to be 27 years old and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for 100 or 90 million.
“In that same meeting, the agent wanted to anchor the exit to a value. I said this sentence: 'It's not worth us setting a value because I don't know what will happen in a year's time. I don't know if it will be 40, 60 or 80. 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 or values. Now I see the agent in the press releasing information.
“I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has common sense and keeps its word.
“Gyokeres scored 63 goals and 10 assists. Fantastic performance. Certainly one of the best players to have ever stepped onto Portuguese turf. And Sporting will not demand the clause.
“Now blackmail and insults, Sporting will not accept. One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept 60 million plus 10. As of today, Sporting has not received any proposal for Gyokeres."