Manchester United and Arsenal transfer target Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly threatened to go on strike after Sporting CP allegedly reneged on an agreement to let him leave
14:22, 11 Jun 2025Updated 14:23, 11 Jun 2025
Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres has been left fuming at Sporting(Image: Valter Gouveia/NurPhoto)
Viktor Gyokeres has hinted at going on strike after Sporting CP allegedly backtracked on a gentleman's agreement regarding the Swedish striker's transfer this summer.
It's reported that Gyokeres made his feelings known to the Portuguese club's chiefs when they upped their asking price. The 27-year-old goal machine played a key role in Sporting's league and cup double, netting an impressive 54 goals in 52 matches in the 2024/25 season.
Portuguese media reports suggest that Gyokeres is livid, having already stated his intention to leave the club this summer and vowing not to don the Sporting jersey again. The player and club had a mutual understanding that Gyokeres would be allowed to exit for a sum significantly less than his release clause.
Sporting seemed to have honoured this, but are now demanding more than the £50m plus £8.4m in add-ons that Gyokeres was expecting. Record reports that the club is now asking for a whopping £67m.
However, Sporting president Frederico Varandas has hit back; as quoted by Record, Varandas said: "Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - MAY 17: Goal scorer Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP celebrates after winning the Liga Portugal Betclic during the Champions Trophy Celebrations Liga Portugal Betclic at the end of the match between Sporting CP and Vitoria SC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on May 17, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres is said to threaten to go on strike(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
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"I can guarantee that Viktor Gyökeres will not leave for 60+10 because I never promised him that. This game that the agent is playing only makes the situation worse."
He added: "To this day, Sporting has not had an offer for Viktor Gyökeres, neither today nor last season."
Manchester United and Arsenal are among the clubs rumoured to be interested in signing Gyokeres. If he gets to choose, the Gunners are reportedly his preferred destination this summer.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - MAY 25: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting his team's victory following the Portuguese Cup final match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at Estadio Nacional do Jamor on May 25, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Pedro Loureiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres has been linked to Man Utd and Arsenal(Image: Eurasia Sport Images, Getty Images)
Sporting reckon Gyokeres is eyeing up Arsenal and the glitz of the Premier League, giving the cold shoulder to suitors from Spain and Italy.
If he were to head to United, it'd mean a catch-up with Ruben Amorim, as the Red Devils are dead set on beefing up their attack, having already nabbed Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
The Gunners, though, seem more keen on wrapping up a deal for Benjamin Sesko than chasing Gyokeres. RB Leipzig's bigwig Marcel Schafer has been in chinwags with Arsenal honcho Andrea Berta about a switch, and the gabfest is picking up steam.
Gyokeres has kept his cards close to his chest about his next move. Quizzed on his future post Sporting's season finale, he played it coy: "Let's see.
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"It's hard for me to say, because yeah it is football and you never know what's going to happen in the summer. So for me to say anything else than that is impossible."
The lad's even scrubbed any trace of Sporting from his Instagram bio, not to mention axing mentions of Sweden's squad and his gear sponsor, Nike.