Sporting CP will reportedly only allow Viktor Gyokeres to depart this summer if his €100 million release clause is paid in full.
The Sweden international is expected to secure a high-profile transfer ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, following a sensational two-year spell at Sporting, and Arsenal are pushing to finalise an agreement for his signature.
According to CaughtOffside, the Portuguese giants want his €100m release clause to be triggered in order to sanction a sale, although Gyokeres’ camp are eager to convince Sporting to accept a fee of €75m.
The Sweden star has scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting and he is reportedly being watched by AC Milan, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur ahead of a possible summer move.
What has been said?
Despite CaughtOffside’s report, Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has admitted that Gyokeres will be allowed to leave for a fee below his €100m release clause.
Varandas, who is embroiled in an ongoing feud with Gyokeres’ representatives, recently told reporters: “I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m plus €10m because I never promised that.
“To this day Sporting has not had an offer for Gyokeres – neither today nor last season.
“One of the agent’s biggest concerns was whether we would demand the termination clause,” Varandas added.
“He wanted to guarantee certain things. And what was agreed? That Sporting would not demand a release clause now.
“For one reason: he was going to be 27 years old and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for €100m or €90m.
“In that same meeting the agent wanted to anchor the exit to a value. I said this sentence: ‘It’s not worth us setting a value because I don’t know what will happen in a year’s time. I don’t know if it will be €40m, €60m or €80m. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand €100m.’”
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