Arsenal and Manchester United have been told the exact amount they must spend to capture Sporting attacker Viktor Gyokeres this summer.
It’s only been a few weeks since the second transfer market started this summer, but it’s already evident that Sporting star Gyokeres’ future could be the biggest story of the window.
With 54 goals in 52 games this season, the 27-year-old is one of the world’s most in-demand attackers, generating interest from clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester United.
Sporting has yet to accept an official bid for Gyokeres, as the Swedish international is currently in talks with Sporting president Frederico Varandas and other club officials about a possible transfer fee.
However, it appears that Arsenal and United may have finally determined how much they will have to pay to get Gyokeres’ signing.
Gyokeres was initially thought to be available for a cost of €60 million plus €10 million (£51.44 million plus £8.57 million), after the striker and his agency apparently agreed on this price with Sporting ahead of the window.
Varandas later revealed in multiple interviews that this was not the case, alleging that Gyokeres was refusing to play for the club again in an attempt to force a transfer.
Gyokeres’ contract includes a €100 million (£85.1 million) release clause, although Sporting are willing to sell him for less.
However, a recent claim from Portuguese sports website A BOLA has revealed that Gyokeres’ contract includes another release clause that might allow him to go for as little as €60 million.
According to the site, during discussions for Gyokeres’ £20 million move from Coventry City to Sporting two years ago, his agent Hasan Cetinkaya won a contract in which he would earn 10% of the value of any rejected bid over €60 million.
In principle, this may compel Sporting to accept any bid that includes the €60 million price tag that they are so desperate to avoid.
To counteract this possibility, the Portuguese club reportedly informed Cetinkaya personally that if he activates this clause in Gyokeres’ contract, the player will not be allowed to leave the club unless the full €100 million release price is met.
If Cetinkaya does not use the provision, Sporting is expected to let the striker to go for €80 million (£68.6 million).
xz
