Victor Gyokeres Saga: Sporting CP Soften Transfer Demands
The transfer window never fails to produce drama, but this year’s saga around Victor Gyokeres stands out for its twists and shifting demands. The Swedish forward became the talk of the summer as Sporting CP, his current club, started to adjust their stance on his transfer fee—just as both Arsenal and Manchester United ramped up their pursuit of the prolific striker.
Sporting spent weeks insisting on a steep €100 million release clause for Gyokeres. But as feverish interest spread across the English Premier League, the Portuguese club quietly signaled a readiness to negotiate. Sources close to the club confirmed that Sporting’s internal stance softened—dropping their expectations to somewhere between €65 million and €80 million. That’s quite a discount from the original tag, which had essentially priced all but the wealthiest suitors out of any conversation.
The story takes a sharp turn with claims of a so-called 'gentleman's agreement.' Gyokeres and his entourage insist that Sporting’s old leadership, acting through former director Hugo Viana, promised an exit for €70 million in summer 2025. The claim reportedly isn’t just hearsay: Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, says he’s holding proof of the deal. Sporting’s president, Frederico Varandas, flatly denies the existence of any such agreement and has dismissed suggestions of a €60m plus €10m bonus structure as wishful thinking by the player’s team.
Arsenal vs Manchester United: Who Has the Edge?
Gyokeres’ form speaks for itself—he’s notched an eye-popping 97 goals in just 102 games since his 2023 switch from Coventry. You’d think Sporting would do everything to keep him happy. Yet sources allege that Gyokeres is furious with the club’s shifting demands and is so disillusioned he’s threatened not to train unless the negotiation gridlock breaks.
Arsenal have moved fast, showing the most concrete interest. Mikel Arteta’s squad is looking to add a reliable goal-scorer before next season. However, the Gunners don’t want to overspend when their main target, Benjamin Sesko, is available for a very similar price. Manchester United have also circled, hoping to lure Gyokeres as a centerpiece of their front line rebuild. Right now, Arsenal have the upper hand, simply because they’ve invested more time in talks and are ready to move quickly.
But there’s another twist: Hugo Viana, the man who supposedly engineered Gyokeres’ €70 million escape route, has jumped ship to Manchester City. With him out of the Sporting camp, clarity around any prior agreements has gone out the window. Negotiations are further muddied, as Sporting try to protect their position while Gyokeres’ camp pushes for a compromise.
Both clubs remain within touching distance of Sporting’s new price, yet each is hesitant to blink first. With neither manager eager to engage in a prolonged stand-off, the coming weeks could prove decisive. The outcome not only affects Sporting’s summer plans but also shapes how top Premier League outfits build their squads for a crucial upcoming season. Gyokeres' next move, and the price tag attached, could ripple through the market for months.
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