The situation surrounding Viktor Gyökeres’ expected move to Arsenal continues to drag on, and tensions are growing in Portugal.
According to CNN Portugal pundit Daniel Carvalho, the striker’s failure to report for pre-season has left a negative mark on his relationship with Sporting.
Despite weeks of speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League, no deal has been finalised. Meanwhile, the Swedish striker has not turned up at Sporting for the start of the new season and is currently breaching his contract.
Carvalho criticised how the situation has unfolded, claiming Gyökeres “didn’t deserve” to end his spell at the club in such a way.
“None of this is positive. Many Sporting fans now understand that no one is above the club, and there was no need to stretch things this far. The bad relationship that now exists with both the board and the fans didn’t have to happen,” he told CNN Portugal.
He added: “What has been written won’t be erased, but the image that remains is not good. The story didn’t deserve to end with the poor impression we have today.”
Arsenal are close to agreeing a deal for transfer, but bonuses are currently holding things up – and his exit from Sporting is growing increasingly sour.