The Viktor Gyokeres transfer debacle continues.placeholder image
The Viktor Gyokeres transfer debacle continues. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Viktor Gyokeres continues to be courted by Arsenal and Manchester United.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has been told he must find clarity in the ‘trouble’ over the asking price for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, should the Gunners want to recruit the talisman this summer.
The 27-year-old is at the centre of a transfer debacle that looks far from its conclusion. It had been reported that Arsenal were on the verge of completing a deal for the player but links with RB Leipzig man Benjamin Sesko then strengthened and Manchester United have since enquired about Gyokeres.
The former Coventry City man is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League having previously played in the second tier and now having outgrown the Liga Portugal. Gyokeres plundered 39 goals in 33 league outings last season.
Fabrizio Romano sends Arsenal transfer hint
The striker has a £85 million release clause in his Sporting CP contract but it had been claimed that there was a gentleman’s agreement between player and club that would green light a £59 million exit. However, in recent days, Sporting president Frederico Varandas has rubbished those claims.
Transfer guru Romano provided the latest on the transfer saga in his GiveMeSport Newsletter on Friday and made it clear where the sticking point was for Berta brokering any deal. Romano wrote: “The first thing to do is clarify the exit price from Sporting after trouble with the president. Both Arsenal and Manchester United remain keen and in contact with his camp.”
Football.London claimed that Sporting CP could now be looking for £68 million to sanction a transfer but the club would only be obligated to sell if Gyokeres’ lofty release clause was activated. The player still has another three years to run on his current deal.
Varanda has said of the Gyokeres situation recently: “I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for 60m euros plus 10m euros because I never promised that. To this day Sporting has not had an offer for Gyokeres - neither today nor last season."
Sporting CP stand firm on Gyokeres transfer price
He added: “One of the agent's biggest concerns was whether we would demand the termination clause. 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 100m euros or 90m euros.
"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 40m euros, 60m euros or 80m euros. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand 100m euros.”
Sporting boss Rui Borges has said of the situation this week: "Sporting's future begins on July 1st. That's all I can say and today I'm here to, above all, salute this tribute that was paid to me. That's all. I'm on vacation, I'm not here to talk about that."
Gyokeres said last week: “We will see. Nobody knows anything yet. I wish I had a more fun answer, but that's all I can say for now.” He also said back in May: “It’s impossible to say, we never know what happens in football. Arsenal links? I don’t know anything. My focus was on the games. If the links were true then… we will see this summer.”
In other news, Andrea Berta 'increases' Arsenal striker bid by £5m amid stuttering talks with alternative.
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