The Swedish striker has been linked with a return to England, but the Lisbon club won’t sell without a battle.
Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has delivered a sharp message to the clubs vying for forward Viktor Gyokeres.
Manchester United and Arsenal are among the clubs after the hotshot Swedish striker, but the Portuguese club is unwilling to let him go without receiving top pay for one of European football’s hottest talents.
The former Coventry City player joined the Lisbon club in 2023 and has scored an astonishing 68 goals in 66 league appearances, winning back-to-back titles while also scoring six Champions League goals and five Europa League goals.
Varandas, who paid a reputed €24 million for Gyokeres and owes Coventry a major portion of any incoming sum in the form of a sell-on clause, is sending all the indications of a guy determined to receive what his club deserves.
Varandas has staked his claim, according to one of Fabrizio Romano’s numerous posts of the day on X, formerly Twitter.
“I’m not going to say what the price is; the player knows what it is,” Varandas stated, as reported by Romano.
“I can assure you that Viktor will not leave for €60 million plus €10 million.” He will not. He simply won’t.”
Throughout the summer, reports linked the prolific 27-year-old with a number of prominent European teams, and Varandas’ asking price is likely to be reached with goals at a premium.
Gyokeres reportedly wants to join Real Madrid, but more realistic chatter of a move to two Premier League giants in desperate need of a centre-forward persists.
Arsenal has been linked with an interest in Gyokeres and RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko in order to address one of their most well-documented weaknesses.
Mikel Arteta was forced to turn to different options up front in 2024-25 due to injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, neither of whom are the Gunners’ preferred striker even when fully fit.
Manchester United were hesitant in offensive areas. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have not appeared to be a viable replacement for Ruben Amorim, and while United has acquired Matheus Cunha and is apparently close to signing Bryan Mbeumo, reconnecting Gyokeres with his former Sporting coach would be a significant upgrade.
Varandas will undoubtedly be waiting for their calls, but it may take several discussions before the parties reach an agreement on the club president’s mystery threshold.
xz
