Sporting’s shifting stance over Gyokeres’s future has apparently angered the striker, who now risks seeing his Premier League move stall over a price hike and internal politics.
Gyokeres furious with Sporting – A Bola 18 June 2025
Viktor Gyokeres is understood to be furious with Sporting CP over what he considers a broken promise regarding a summer transfer, after the Portuguese club backtracked on a verbal agreement to sanction his exit for significantly less than his €100 million release clause. They claim the agreed clause was never ratified.
The 27-year-old Sweden international has been left “upset and disillusioned”, according to A Bola, after being assured last year by Hugo Viana that Sporting would accept an offer in the region of €60–70 million (£50–59 million). That promise helped convince Gyokeres to stay in Lisbon in January and lead the line during a campaign that ended with the club’s first league and cup double in 70 years.
With the season over and Arsenal showing concrete interest, that understanding has since unravelled.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas is now demanding significantly more. Speaking last week, Varandas said: “Sporting will not demand the termination clause but they should already know me better, threats, blackmail, offences, do not work with me. One thing I can guarantee: Viktor Gyokeres does not leave for €60 million plus €10 million. He does not leave, because I never allowed it, and with this game that the agent is doing it only worsens the situation.”
LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 22: Goal scorer Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP before the start of the Portuguese Cup match between Sporting CP and Amarante FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 22, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Arsenal have made an informal approach worth €55 million (£46.3 million) plus €10 million (£8.4 million) in add-ons, but it falls short of both the figure discussed with Gyokeres’s representatives and Sporting’s revised valuation which is now closer to €80m. They are expected to meet for a second round of talks this week.
Despite claims of interest from Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, and Al Ahli, Arsenal remain one of the striker’s preferred destinations, alongside Manchester City and Liverpool, who haven’t been linked.
Sources suggest he would also consider Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, or Bayern Munich, although Madrid have reportedly rejected an approach from his representatives, Barcelona don’t have any money and PSG have shown no interest at this point.
There is added friction behind the scenes due to a clause in Gyokeres’s contract that entitles his agent to 10 percent of any rejected bid above €60 million with Sporting allegedly saying they would demand the full €100m release clause if the agent’s clause was activated.
Silly season, indeed.
Gyokeres is currently on holiday but is expected to report back to Alvalade in early July for pre-season. As things stand, he will return as a deeply frustrated player whose dream move is no closer to completion.
He is under contract until 2028.
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