TBR Football can exclusively reveal where Viktor Gyokeres thinks he will play next season amid links with Arsenal and Man United.
Gyokeres is expected to leave Sporting this summer, having attracted plenty of attention following his outrageous goalscoring season with the club.
There has been interest from several Premier League clubs including Man United and Arsenal.
Manchester United remain in contact with Gyokeres, as they hope to secure his signing but it is the Gunners who are reportedly leading the race to land him. Arsenal reportedly tabled a bid to sign Gyokeres, but that offer fell short of Sporting’s expectations, causing internal anger between the player and the Portuguese club.
TBR Football has now shared the latest on the situation surrounding Gyokeres.
Viktor Gyokeres during a match for Sporting CP.
Photo by Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Viktor Gyokeres believes he will play in England next season
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Gyokeres believes he will be playing in the Premier League next season.
The player has made it clear to Sporting in recent months his intention to move and England is his likely destination, although there has been interest from Germany, Italy and Spain.
Following the rejection of Arsenal’s bid, Gyokeres’s camp clashed with Sporting president Frederico Varandas, who has denied that a gentleman’s agreement existed that would allow the player to leave for £60m (€70m), substantially less than his £85m (€100m) release clause.
TBR Football has spoken with sources from both sides and despite the public announcements, they both expect a deal to be done.
As per TBR Football, conversations are ongoing with Gyokeres’s camp and Sporting. A set figure on his sale price is not agreed, but we are told that the expectation now is that Sporting want a deal worth £68m (€80m), although much will depend on guarantees.
It is understood that the player has made it clear to Sporting that they want to know the price, so they can confirm the overall situation to his suitors – this includes both Arsenal and Manchester United, who are in constant contact, although neither side has yet approached Sporting.
Indeed we are told there are other Premier League sides who are keeping close tabs on the player’s situation as well.
The Viktor Gyokeres saga could drag as both Man United and Arsenal are keen on signing him
Bailey believes that while the player is convinced he will play in the Premier League next season, the move could drag on until July.
As per him, the player’s representatives are working hard but it could be July until something is agreed. Bailey said: “Speaking to sources, Gyokeres is convinced that he is moving this summer and he believes he will be in England – not that he has ruled out other countries, it is just where he believes he will be playing.
“He did make it clear from the start that a deal with Saudi Arabia’s Pro League was not a consideration despite them making an approach this month.
“Arsenal and Man United are in constant contact, the lines of communication with those two clubs has been ongoing for months.
“The player’s representatives are working hard on his future, but there is no deadline here – it could be this month, but likely July I am told before something is agreed, but there is no panic. They are calm.”
With both Man United and Arsenal keen on signing the player, it remains to be seen which club he will join. But it looks certain that he will be playing in the Premier League next season.