Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP
Manchester United-linked striker has reportedly expressed his eagerness to exit Sporting Clube de Portugal, having made an impression during fellow player Morten Hjulmand's wedding.
The Swedish forward has been the subject of transfer speculation after an impressive stint in Lisbon, notching up 97 goals in 102 games since his arrival from Coventry City in 2023.
Despite links to United, he is reportedly keen on a move to Arsenal. His representative, Hasan Cetinkaya, is understood to have held discussions with Arsenal's sporting director, Andrea Berta, about a potential move.
Sporting's president Frederico Varandas, following Gyokeres' disclosure of his wish to move on, insisted that the club would not be compelled into a sale by pressure tactics and added that previous reports of a deal being acceptable at €50 million-plus €10 million in bonuses were inaccurate.
Varandas addressed the media by stating: "One thing is that you should already know me better," and clarified his stance with the words, "Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me.
"I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60+€10m (in add-ons) because I never promised him that."
When pressed on whether any bids had been made in the region of €60m, Varandas further added: "To this day, Sporting has not had an offer for Viktor Gyokeres, neither today nor last season. He is a fantastic professional, to this day he has had zero offers. He has a three-year contract with Sporting."
Following these statements, it is understood that Gyokeres is deeply frustrated with how his potential departure is being managed by the club.
has reported that the forward is contemplating skipping pre-season; currently, he's on holiday whilst sticking to a fitness plan.
Gyokeres made an appearance at Hjulmand's wedding in Copenhagen this past Saturday together with his partner, Ines Aguiar.
Amidst the tiff with Lions' president Varandas, Gyokeres was captured in a photo seated beside Varandas' wife, Katarina Larsson, as they toasted the occasion.
Katarina Larsson shared a picture with Viktor Gyokeres on social media (Image: Instagram)
Triple European sprint triathlon champ, Larsson, took to Instagram to share an image and later uploaded more pictures from the festive event.
"Still not over the most authentic and widely fun wedding I have ever been to! ," her caption enthused. "Tears, laughter, dancing and love that lit up the night - plus some of the most incredible humans I've ever met."
Reports from Portugal suggest that despite the festivities, President Varandas was unable to attend due to other engagements.
In spite of Gyokeres' representative, Cetinkaya, stating there had been a gentleman's agreement last summer allowing Sporting to release the player for less than his €100m (£84m) buy-out amount, the club is not technically bound to such terms.
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