Arsenal and Man Utd target Viktor Gyokeres is said to have rejected the idea of holding a meeting at Sporting CP to discuss his future further, and one of his team-mates has shared his thoughts
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Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres holding a trophy
Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres is at the centre of a transfer saga(Image: David Martins/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Sporting CP striker Conrad Harder has offered his thoughts on fellow frontman Viktor Gyokeres’ ongoing transfer saga. Gyokeres, 27, has attracted plenty of attention following his prolific two-year spell in Portugal.
Arsenal and Manchester United are each interested in the ex-Coventry City star, who has scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting. And Gyokeres’ future has taken another recent twist after he reportedly rejected the chance to have clear-the-air talks with Sporting. It is claimed that the tension initially stemmed from the club demanding a higher fee than expected after promising to sell him this summer.
It remains to be seen where Gyokeres will be playing his football next season, as Arsenal have also had their attention on RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, while United is not seen to be the preferred option for Gyokeres, despite Old Trafford being where his former manager at Sporting, Ruben Amorim, now resides.
However, despite the transfer drama surrounding Gyokeres, it clearly does not concern his Sporting team-mate Harder, who is in fact relishing the chance to take his place next term.
"Gyokeres? I'm not interested in any news,” Harder told Sport TV, as per Portuguese outlet A Bola. “I am focusing on myself. I want to play. We'll see what happens.
“It's important for me to have minutes now. I was on the bench for a year, and I need to play. I think I'm ready, and we'll see. It will be good to have minutes.
Conrad Harder
Conrad Harder has spoken about Viktor Gyokeres(Image: Piermarco Tacca - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
“We will never forget what Viktor did at Sporting. Never! But I hope that the team and I can live up to the challenge. I'll do my best. I think I'm ready.
“I'm not ready to be the new Viktor; he's 27 years old, I'm 20... But I'm prepared to do what I'm best at. And we'll see what I can bring to the team. I want to stay at Sporting.”
Harder spoke after scoring a brace for Denmark in their draw with Finland at the Under-21 Euros on Wednesday. The young forward will hope to keep his place for Denmark’s quarter-final clash with France as he also seeks to prove he can fill the potential void left by Gyokeres at Sporting.
"I can use this tournament to gain some form. I haven't played that much in the last four or five months, so having game minutes is incredible,” Harder explained. “I think I've already proven to many people that I'm ready to play, but I want to prove a little more that I'm ready to play.”
Harder was forced to be back-up to Gyokeres after arriving from Nordsjaelland last summer, but he made the most of his limited time on the pitch. He ended the season with 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, despite only making 21 starts, as Sporting won the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal.
Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres has won three trophies with Sporting Lisbon(Image: Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Gyokeres, who is currently on holiday in Saint Tropez, recently dismissed the noise around his future. Posting on his Instagram story, the striker wrote: "There is a lot of talks at the moment, most of it is false. I will speak when the time is right."
However, Sporting president Frederico Varandas has spoken openly about Gyokeres’ situation. Varandas defended the club’s position and explained that Sporting are yet to receive an offer for their talisman.
“One thing you should already know is me better. Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me,” Varandas said, as per Portuguese outlet Record. "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 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."
He added: "I think it's fair to explain the whole process. The process started last year when the season ended, Sporting were champions and had a fantastic season. During the transfer window we realised that Viktor was going to stay at Sporting because we didn't receive a single offer for him.
"When the season started, the agent approached Hugo Viana several times, asking if we could add an extra fee to the contract if he scored 'x' goals; I gave Viana the opportunity to negotiate, within reason."
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