Viktor Gyokeres has reiterated to Sporting CP that he won’t show up to training on Friday, with negotiations ongoing over a move to Arsenal.
LISBON, PORTUGAL: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP in action 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. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Fabrizio Romano reports on his YouTube channel that Arsenal’s move for Viktor Gyokeres is still on, and the player has informed Sporting CP once again that he doesn’t intend to return to training.
Gyokeres fell out with Sporting over his belief that they had verbally agreed to sell him for €60m plus €10m in add-ons this summer. Sporting insist that’s not the case, and they’ve already refused a better bid than that from Arsenal – reportedly €65m plus €15m in add-ons.
As a result, the player isn’t planning to rejoin training on Friday, which is when Sporting have asked him to return. He’s now made this stance clear on at least two occasions.
SOLNA, SWEDEN: Viktor Gyokeres during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League C Group C1 match between Sweden and Slovakia at Strawberry Arena on November 16, 2024. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images
As for whether the club-to-club deal is still moving in the right direction, various reports in Portugal on Thursday morning have suggested the situation has stalled, but the story hasn’t been picked up by anyone in the English media.
With all due respect, the Portuguese outlets have been all over the place with the Gyokeres deal. There’s been talk of bids long before any actually went in, and repeated claims of fee agreements that were always debunked within hours.
Chris Wheatley reported on Tuesday that those close to the deal expect the remaining issues to be resolved, and Hand of Arsenal reports that his understanding of the situation was the talks remained positive as recently as Wednesday night.
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
Gyokeres has agreed to give up €2m from his potential Arsenal salary in order to help the move over the line, so he’s likely frustrated that Sporting still won’t accept Arsenal’s latest offer.
The situation is reaching boiling point, and all parties will hope for a positive resolution before the end of the week.
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