This summer, the Sporting CP attacker hopes to force a move to the Premier League.
It has now been disclosed how the Gunners can potentially acquire the striker for nothing if Viktor Gyokeres moves to them this summer.
There is a lot of conjecture about the 27-year-old’s future and where he will play football next season, making him one of the transfer sagas of the past several months.
Gyokeres moved from Coventry City to Sporting in 2023 for an initial €20 million, and he has been in scorching goal scoring form ever since.
The Sweden international has scored 97 goals in 102 appearances over the past two seasons, including an incredible 54 goals in 52 games across all competitions during the previous campaign.
Gyokeres has been linked to Manchester United, and the Premier League is a possible destination for him.
Given United’s need for a striker and the fact that Gyokeres’ former manager, Ruben Amorim, returned to Old Trafford in November of last year to succeed the fired Erik ten Hag, it is not surprising.
But Gyokeres has also been linked to Arsenal, who seem to be in the lead to sign him and are reportedly nearing an agreement.
Following three consecutive Premier League runners-up, the Gunners also require striking additions.
By refusing to return for preseason training, which started on Friday, Gyokeres himself seems to be attempting to pressure Sporting into a trade.
The striker feels that Sporting president Frederico Varandas has “reneged on a pact” that would have allowed Gyokeres to leave the team this summer for €60 million plus €10 million in add-ons, a value that Arsenal has already exceeded with their proposal, according to The Athletic.
In the event that the transfer happens, the Gunners are even said to have a five-year contract ready for Gyokeres.
However, a scenario has now been presented in which Mikel Arteta’s team may not even be required to reimburse Sporting for Gyokeres’s services.
A Bola, a Portuguese tabloid, claims that if the striker keeps missing games, Sporting may eventually cancel his contract.
According to columnist and attorney Joao Caido Guerreiro, Gyokeres wants this even if he would be penalized to make it easier for him to move to Arsenal, since Sporting would lose out on a significant financial asset if he were fired.
“Missing training without a valid reason is a violation, and ten interpolated absences or five consecutive unjustified absences are sufficient grounds for dismissal with cause,” Guerreiro stated.
But the law permits a number of explanations. Gyokeres can always offer some excuse, such as a family issue or the necessity of going to the doctor with a relative. The list of reasons is lengthy.
However, the athlete gave advance notice of his absence, citing his desire to visit Arsenal as the cause. This restricts his defenses. Sporting may even punish him if he misses, or they may impose harsher penalties if the absences persist. including termination without pay.
“But Gyokeres desires that. Additionally, Sporting would suffer greatly from the player’s dismissal: a club asset worth €65 million, the amount of Arsenal’s offer, would suddenly be worthless.
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