Arsenal
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Arsenal have reportedly held renewed discussions with Viktor Gyokeres’ agent over a potential summer move for the prolific Sporting CP striker, according to multiple sources in Portugal.
The Gunners are among a number of elite European clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Juventus, who are chasing the Sweden international following an outstanding season. Gyokeres netted an astonishing 54 goals in 52 appearances, helping Sporting secure a domestic double.
While Sporting are understood to be open to selling the 26-year-old this summer for less than his €100 million (£83.8m) release clause, recent tensions between the club and the player’s camp have complicated negotiations.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas issued a firm statement on Wednesday, criticising Gyokeres and his agent Hasan Cetinkaya for suggesting that a specific transfer fee had been pre-agreed ahead of the summer window.
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Nevertheless, Portuguese outletsCNN Portugal andRecord reported on Wednesday evening that Arsenal’s top brass met with Cetinkaya in Lisbon, and a formal bid from the Premier League side is now expected.
CNN Portugal journalist Nuno Farinha revealed that Gyokeres has expressed a clear desire to join Arsenal, despite interest from other clubs.
“Arsenal are the club that Gyokeres has wanted from the very beginning,” Farinha reported. “Gyokeres wants to play for Arsenal, he has stated this desire very openly to his agent. Officially, there has not been an offer yet, but there have been many contacts. This time, it seems that there will be [an offer].”
Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres (Image credit: Getty Images)
Earlier in the day, Varandas spoke candidly about the club’s stance, claiming Sporting had previously agreed not to enforce the €100m release clause, but never committed to a fixed transfer fee.
“It was agreed that Sporting would not demand the release clause at the end of the following season, especially because he was going to be 27,” Varandas explained. “Then, we knew Viktor’s dream of going to a club where he could fight for the Champions League and we had common sense. We guaranteed that we would not demand €100 million.”
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He continued: “In that meeting, the agent wanted to anchor the departure to a value—he spoke of €60m, €70m… I said ‘there’s no point in setting a value because I don’t know what will happen, if he gets injured, if he has a disappointing season. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand €100 million.’”
Varandas stressed that he had not engaged in further talks with Gyokeres or his agent since that initial discussion nearly a year ago and accused Cetinkaya of leaking false information to the media.
“Threats, blackmail, and insults don’t work with me,” he warned. “I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m plus €10m because I never promised him that. This game that the agent is playing only makes the situation worse. To this day, Sporting has not received an offer for Viktor Gyokeres, neither today nor last season.”
Arsenal’s interest now appears to be firming up as the club weighs up whether to meet Sporting’s demands or test the waters with an opening proposal.
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