Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas has broken his silence on the future of Viktor Gyokeres, who is a target for both Manchester United and Arsenal this summer
18:03, 29 Jun 2025
Sporting Lisbon's president, Federico Varandas, has provided a new update on Viktor Gyokeres' future, suggesting for the first time that he might depart for a lower fee.
The Swedish goal machine, 27, is currently at the centre of a fierce battle between Manchester United and Arsenal this summer. Gyokeres is eager to exit the Portuguese heavyweights, with rumours indicating that he would even go on strike to force an exit after believing they had reneged on a promise to let him go for a reduced sum.
Sporting attempted to mend ties with their star striker, but he declined an offer for a peace-making meeting earlier this month. Varandas has now voiced his thoughts again, believing that Gyokeres will be transferred before the transfer window closes.
And he has confirmed that the forward will be permitted to leave for less than the €100m (£85.4m) buyout clause in his contract. "Sporting is calm regarding this matter," Varandas stated, reports the Mirror.
"Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyökeres. Fortunately, we have moved past the phase of selling our main asset.
Viktor Gyokeres has to choose between Manchester United and Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres has to choose between Manchester United and Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
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"However, we remain sensitive to Viktor's dreams or those of any other athlete. Sporting has made a commitment that, after weeks of meetings, we will not demand the full amount of the clause; we will be reasonable regarding the amount requested for Viktor."
"Today, there is a strong likelihood that he will leave. I won't disclose the amount, but the player knows what it is. I can say that Viktor will not leave for 60+10m. He won't leave, absolutely not.
"In recent weeks, we have been paying attention. I saw a player, Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, go for 65 million, and I saw Matheus Cunha move to Manchester United for around 75 million euros.
"We are talking about players who are 26 years old. I believe Viktor could leave, unless he has the worst agent in the world, which I don't believe, as his agent is one of the best in the world."
Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 games in all competitions for Sporting, including 39 strikes in 33 league appearances last season, after a goal laden spell with Coventry in the Championship, which earned him a move to Portugal in July 2023.
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The Gunners have another iron in the fire after their initial offer for the Swedish striker was knocked back. RB Leipzig's forward Benjamin Sesko is also on their radar with the German club reportedly slashing their asking price for the Slovenian.
Gyokeres was also rumoured to be heading to Real Madrid, but the Spanish heavyweights have apparently passed up the opportunity to sign him.