Viktor Gyokeres has personally informed Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas that he wants to leave, and he’s not expected to return to training with his current club.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 12: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Borussia Dortmund at on February 12, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
With a week to go until the start of Sporting CP’s pre-season, Viktor Gyokeres’ future remains uncertain.
Fabrizio Romano and Portuguese outlet Record report that Gyokeres has personally informed Sporting president Frederico Varandas of his decision to leave, with no intention to play for Sporting anymore.
Romano adds that Gyokeres wants a new chapter, that he feels heartbroken that Sporting don’t seem to be honouring his exit pact, and that he’s not expected to return to training.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 5: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Sporting CP and Manchester City at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 5, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Correio da Manha reported on Tuesday morning that Varandas believes he’s in the right, and he doesn’t think Gyokeres would really threaten the club with a strike.
Sporting are set to return to training on Tuesday, July 1st, and despite Varandas’ convictions, Gyokeres is reportedly considering not showing up if his situation isn’t resolved.
Jornal de Noticias claim Sporting have already drawn up a profile for Gyokeres’ successor. They’re clearly preparing for the eventuality of his departure.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - JANUARY 22: Viktor Gyökeres of Sporting Lisbon in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between RB Leipzig and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Leipzig Stadium on January 22, 2025 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
This all follows recent reports that Arsenal are considering moving on from their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko due to the player’s salary demands. The suggestion is that Gyokeres is the Gunners’ primary alternative.
But there’s a lot of uncertainty over how much Sporting would accept for Gyokeres’ sale. All we know for sure is that Varandas is publicly insisting he’ll accept less than €100m (£85.3m) and more than €60m + €10m add-ons (£51.2m + £8.5m add-ons).
If that’s true, the total transfer fee will fall somewhere between £60-85m.
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