Viktor Gyökeres is reported to be ready to go on strike to force through his exit from Sporting CP this summer.
The Coventry City old boy is a man in demand this summer with both Arsenal and Manchester United reported to be keen on bringing him back to England, while Juventus and Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal are also said to be interested in securing his signature.
While the Sweden striker has a €100m release clause in his Sporting contract, it is understood that the Portuguese champions have said Gyökeres can leave for less. However, just what that revised fee will be is claimed to be the cause of the dispute between club and player.
Portuguese outlet Record now claim Gyökeres has informed Sporting he won’t play for them again, angry over promises broken.
According to website Sport Witness, the newspaper reports: “That was exactly what Gyökeres transmitted to the club in the last few hours, due to the controversy surrounding the gentlemen’s agreement that existed since September and that the centre-forward believes is now being disrespected.”
Sporting were thought to have promised Gyökeres he could leave for around €60m (£51m) this summer plus €10m in bonus payments, but Record claims the Lisbon club could be trying to use competition for his signature to push the price higher, to as much as €80m (£68m) according to Sporting general director Bernardo Palmeiro.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas has also denied the €60m fee claim, telling Record. : "One thing you should already know is threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me.
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"I can guarantee that Viktor Gyökeres will not leave for €60m+10m (£51m+£8.5m) because I never promised him that. This game that the his agent is playing only makes the situation worse. To this day, Sporting has not had an offer for Viktor Gyökeres, neither today nor last season."
However, Gyökeres is said to be convinced of what he was told, and Record claims he won’t return to Sporting for pre-season, with the implication that he’d rather go on strike. It’s even stated he’s willing to interrupt his vacation to speak publicly about the situation.
Coventry City have a 10% sell-on clause from the £20m deal to sell Gyökeres to Sporting in 2023, meaning they will take a cut of any profit made by the Portuguese club.
The clause was originally for 15%, but the Sky Blues are said to have been paid an undisclosed fee to reduce it to 10 per cent at the start of the 2024/25 season.
Is Gyökeres worth the fee being touted? Click HERE to have your say