Viktor Gyokeres is being pursued by Arsenal and Manchester United and his relationship with Sporting Lisbon has crumbled in the past few weeks amid competing agendas
Viktor Gyokeres’ difficult and prolonged exit from Sporting Lisbon continues to get even more bitter after the striker sent a legal letter to his employers. Gyokeres will leave Sporting in the summer transfer window, but the question of what his legacy will be like once he departs remains to be seen amid a war of words.
Arsenal and Sporting have verbally agreed a deal in principle worth an initial £55million plus £8.6m in add-ons and bonuses for Gyokeres. But Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta and Sporting chiefs have so far failed to yield a full agreement over the make-up of the fees.
That has potentially opened the door for Manchester United, who have submitted their own bid at the last moment in an effort to hijack the move. Reports in Portugal state that United have tabled their own offer worth €70-80million (£60-69m) as they try to get a reunion for Ruben Amorim and his former Sporting striker.
It remains to be seen whether United’s last-gasp effort comes to fruition, but one thing is for sure: Gyokeres has burned his bridges at Sporting. The 27-year-old striker has been desperate to get his exit sealed and has been willing to go to war with Sporting president Federico Varandas in order to get what he wants.
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The two have been trading barbs through the Portuguese press throughout the summer, with the main conflict centred upon a supposed gentleman’s agreement they had. Gyokeres feels Varandas had agreed to let him go if a buyer stumped up €60m plus €10m, but the club chief has rejected that ever happened.
Gyokeres has since gone on strike and is refusing to turn up for pre-season training with Sporting, saying he will never play for them again. Sporting have therefore begun disciplinary proceedings against their striker.
Record now say that Gyokeres has, via his legal representatives, issued a legal letter in response. It states his case that Varandas is to blame for his absence because he has gone back on his word.
It’s a messy situation that has come about because the Portuguese club are trying to get the best fee possible for their star. He is under contract until June 2028 and Varandas has been happy to play hard ball in negotiations – and make his stance plain in public. “If they don’t want to pay Viktor’s fair market value, we’re very comfortable with that for the next three years,” he said recently.
“This strategy is also making it more complicated for the player to leave. Nobody is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are. We’re calm. Everything will be resolved with the market closing, a hefty fine and an apology to the group.”
He added: “One thing you should already know is me better. Threats, blackmail and insults don’t work with me.
“I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m+10m because I never promised him that. This game that the agent is playing only makes the situation worse. To this day, Sporting has not had an offer for Viktor Gyokeres, neither today nor last season.”
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