Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has offered a fresh update on the future of Viktor Gyokeres amid transfer links to Arsenal. Talks for the Swede, and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, have taken place over the last few weeks but interest from Emirates Stadium lessened somewhat after his asking price changed.
The belief was that a gentleman’s agreement was in place between his camp and the club that would see a package totalling £59.8 million (€70m) as enough to sign him. However, Varandas made it very clear earlier this month that no pact was made and that Gyokeres would not be allowed to leave for that fee.
In response to that, Gyokeres took to social media and stated he that a lot of talk surrounding his future was “false” while also reportedly making it clear privately that he does not want to play for Sporting again.
The Portuguese champions have not backed down from that though, with Varandas making new comments saw him reference Arsenal’s impending Martin Zubimendi transfer and two Manchester United deals when discussing Gyokeres.
As quoted by the Portuguese media outlet A Bola, with journalists gathered at Alvalade Stadium for Sporting’s General Assembly, he said: “Sporting is very calm about Gyokeres. “Sporting does not need to sell Gyokeres.
“We have already passed the stage where we had to sell our best assets. “We do not have to sell him. In the same way that we do not have to sell him, we are still sensitive to Viktor ‘s dreams.
“Sporting has a commitment, made by the president, not to ask for the value of the termination clause and to be reasonable in relation to Viktor’s performance last season.
“If you ask me today, there is a strong possibility that Viktor will leave. We have been keeping an eye on the market, I saw a player like Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, go to Arsenal for €65 million (£55m).
“I saw two players being sold in the Premier League – Matheus Cunha and [Bryan] Mbeumo – forwards who do not have the quality of Viktor, in my opinion, were sold for around €70m.
“We are talking about players who are 26 years old. So, given the demands we are making in relation to Viktor ‘s value, I believe he could leave, unless he has the worst agent in the world. Which I find hard to believe.
“I won’t say what the price we asked for. It was communicated to the agent. But I can guarantee that Viktor will not leave for €60+€10 million. Viktor already knows and I want Sporting fans to take advantage of this summer, in which they are two-time champions, in which they have a double, to celebrate, to be calm.
“There are only two scenarios: one club respects the price requested by Sporting and Viktor will fulfil his dream, and from that moment we will be ready to attack the targets, or that club does not want Viktor and Viktor, with a three-year contract, stays at Sporting and we will be very happy.”
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