The transfer situation of Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres has taken yet another interesting twist - with Sporting CP reportedly making a remarkable U-turn shortly after the striker's agent spoke out.
The Swede is one goal-scorer the Gunners have looked into at the start of this summer window, during which the key aim is to provide Mikel Arteta with a new starting frontman in their pursuit for silverware.
In the months building up to the summer, it had been claimed Gyokeres would be allowed to move on provided a suitable offer in the region of €70m (£60m) was submitted.
This 'gentleman's agreement' would waive the €100m (£84m) release clause set out in his contract as - at 27-years-old - it might put off any suitors.
But instead Sporting have stuck to the higher figure, demanding Arsenal or any others pay that amount.
"One thing is that you should already know me better. Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me," the Portuguese club's president Frederico Varandas emphatically hit back when it emerged his striker was 'furious' upon learning a potential move was being hindered.
"I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m plus €10m (£50m plus £8.5m) in add-ons because I never promised him that."
Now, it is being reported by Florian Plettenberg that the Liga Portugal champions have deviated from Varandas' stance and have assured Gyokeres that he will be allowed to leave for €70m (£60m).
What exactly has prompted such a drastic change of mind? Well, hours before Hasan Cetinkaya - the player in question's agent - had threatened to out Sporting, claiming to have evidence of the gentleman's agreement.
"We have written proof that Sporting promised him that they would let him leave for €60m plus 10m," Cetinkaya has told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
Then, in his public talk, Sporting's president had also stated that they are yet to receive any formal transfer bid for his No.9 - a direct point of contention with the latest rumours from Portugal that the Gunners have already seen a first offer rejected and now plan a renewed attempt of €70m (£59m).
Meanwhile Gyokeres, said to have been 'angry', cut all ties to his current club on social media by removing any mention of Sporting from the handle of his Instagram profile. "There is a lot of talks at the moment, most of it is false. I will speak when the time is right," he posted on his story.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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