Viktor Gyokeres
Image credit: Getty Images
Sweden head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson has dismissed speculation suggesting that Viktor Gyokeres withdrew from the national team squad to avoid injury ahead of a potential summer transfer to Arsenal.
The prolific Sporting CP striker had been named in Sweden’s 24-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Hungary and Algeria, with expectations high that he would add to his 26 international caps. However, the Swedish Football Association announced on Tuesday that Gyokeres had been granted permission to leave the team’s training camp in Stockholm due to a “minor injury,” ruling him out of both fixtures.
Gyokeres’ withdrawal, along with that of Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, who is also sidelined with a groin problem comes as a setback for Sweden as they prepare for the start of their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign in September against Slovenia.
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Rumors quickly emerged on social media claiming Gyokeres may have stepped away from international duty to avoid risking an injury that could jeopardise a big-money summer move. Arsenal are reportedly leading the race to sign the 26-year-old, with talks said to have taken place in Lisbon between the Gunners and the player’s representatives before the international break.
Sweden - Viktor Gyokere
Viktor Gyokeres with Sweden head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson (Image credit: Getty Images)
But Tomasson was quick to shut down those claims, insisting there was no ulterior motive behind the decision to send Gyokeres home.
“No!” Tomasson said firmly. “He felt a small injury and our medical team was already aware of it. We decided together to release him. I spoke to Viktor last week. He hasn’t trained much in the last few weeks and was feeling some discomfort. I was happy to see him and have him with us at this training camp. It says a lot about Viktor, how much he wants to be involved.”
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The Swedish FA also issued a statement confirming the forward’s exit, stating: “He [Gyokeres] will leave the squad after dialogue with the national team’s medical team. He needs to rehabilitate a minor injury and is therefore not available for the upcoming international matches against Hungary and Algeria.”
Sweden will face Hungary at Budapest’s Puskas Arena on Friday before returning home to host Algeria at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm.
Amid the growing speculation, Gyokeres remained tight-lipped about his future, telling theFlymoduspod podcast: “We will see… nobody knows anything yet. I wish I had a more fun answer, but that’s all I can say for now.”
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