Viktor Gyokeres continues to push for a move away from Portugal.placeholder image
Viktor Gyokeres continues to push for a move away from Portugal. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
The Sporting CP striker appears to be putting his affairs in order ahead of a potential Premier League move.
Arsenal and Manchester United transfer target Viktor Gyokeres is reported to have broken up with Portuguese girlfriend Ines Aguiar as he prepares for a move away from Sporting CP this summer.
The 27-year-old has been hotly tipped to make the switch to the Premier League, a division he has never played in. Gyokeres has outgrown the Liga Portugal with back-to-back league titles and having plundered 39 goals in 33 appearances.
The Gunners are in the market for a new talisman and Gyokeres has emerged as a prime candidate, alongside RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko. The Red Devils are also said to be courting Gyokeres, who knows Ruben Amorim well thanks to the manager’s time at Sporting CP.
Viktor Gyokeres breaks up with Portuguese WAG
The Daily Mail now carry reports from Portugal that Gyokeres and Aguiar ended their relationship before the player left for his summer holiday to Greece. It’s noted that Aguiar had not joined Gyokeres at the wedding of his Sporting CP colleague Morten Hjulmand, with the actress taking her holiday on the Spanish island of Formentera rather than Greece.
Sources close to the striker claim that Gyokeres has decided that he ‘doesn't want anything to tie him to Portugal, especially because he has already decided that he won't continue at Sporting next season.' Aguiar is said to have been prepared for the news but disappointed by the break-up, although neither has confirmed their split publicly.
The transfer saga over Gyokeres’ future has been made complicated over confusion about a release clause in his Sporting CP contract. It had been thought that the player could leave for a lower fee thanks to a gentleman’s agreement with the club.
Arsenal and Manchester United still pursuing Sporting CP striker
Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas said: “Sporting is calm regarding this matter. Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyokeres. Fortunately, we have moved past the phase of selling our main asset.
“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.”
Gyokeres has played in the UK before, spending three years on the books at Brighton. He only made eight appearances for the Seagulls and was sent on loan to Swansea City and Coventry City, eventually joining the latter on a permanent deal. He has made 121 Championship appearances but never played in the Premier League.
Providing the latest on Arsenal’s pursuit of Gyokeres this week, Fabrizio Romano has told GiveMeSport: “Nothing done or agreed yet club to club. It’s absolutely ongoing in terms of interest and contacts but nothing agreed or close yet.”
Arsenal are still said to be weighing up a deal for Sesko, and it’s likely Mikel Arteta will have to choose between one or the other over the coming weeks amid limited options elsewhere.
In other news, Arsenal transfer round-up: Fabrizio Romano offers Viktor Gyokeres update as another 'player wants to join'.
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