Arsenal and Manchester United remain leading candidates to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP as the transfer saga takes yet another turn.
Rift with Sporting grows
Gyokeres’ relationship with Sporting CP is becoming increasingly complicated. The striker feels that the club have gone back on a gentleman’s agreement to sell him for cheap this summer while the Portuguese giants are unhappy with some of the actions of the player’s agent.
Jorge Mendes, the super agent who was once in the corner of Cristiano Ronaldo, had offered his services to mediate the situation. He was of the belief that having a good relationship with Sporting as well as Gyokeres’ suitors, most notably Man Utd, would allow a deal to be made smoothly.
Controversial voice note revealed
Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana has found himself sucked into the saga with Record revealing that a voice note has been discovered in which he agrees that Gyokeres can be sold for €60 million plus €10m in bonuses.
Earlier this summer, club president Federico Varandas declared in a fiery statement that the 27-year-old would not be sold for this price.
“The agent spoke to us to add some clauses. Hugo Viana, as he always did, and very well, managed the relationship with the agents. This relational space is established with the sports director,” he said in quotes relayed by A Bola.
“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 €40, €60 or €80 million. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand €100 million.’
Sporting will not accept blackmail and insults.
– Federico Varandas
“From then on, I never spoke to the agent again, I never spoke to the player about departures or values. Now I see the agent in the press releasing information.
“I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has common sense and keeps its word.
“Gyokeres scored 63 goals and 10 assists. Fantastic performance. Certainly, one of the best players to have ever stepped onto Portuguese turf. And Sporting will not demand the clause.
“Sporting will not accept blackmail and insults. One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept €60 million plus €10m in bonuses.”
Gyokeres waiting for Arsenal
Still from Record, Gyokeres is said to be happy to wait it out for Arsenal’s interest to materialise into a fresh bid.
Backed by the evidence of Viana’s voice memo, Gyokeres’ camp will now put pressure on Sporting to return to their promised figure – and that, crucially, could mean that the Gunners’ interest is seriously rekindled.
Notably, it is described as Gyokeres’ “dream” to play for Arsenal, backing up reports from TalkSport that he wants to go to the Emirates Stadium.
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