Jon Dahl Tomasson has vehemently denied claims that Viktor Gyokeres may have pulled out of Sweden’s squad to avoid injuring himself ahead of a possible transfer move to Arsenal.
Gyokeres was included in Tomasson’s 24-man party for Sweden’s upcoming friendly matches against Hungary and Algeria and looked certain to add to the 26 caps he has accumulated for his country.
But on Tuesday it was announced that Gyokeres had been given permission to leave Sweden’s training camp in Stockholm due to a ‘minor injury’ – and the prolific Sporting forward will play no part in either game.
Tomasson will also be without Alexander Isak for the double-header after a groin problem forced the Newcastle attacker to withdraw from the squad.
It comes as a blow to Sweden’s preparations for their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins at the start of September against Slovenia.
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There has been some talk on social media that Gyokeres may have pulled out in order to protect himself from picking up an injury which could potentially scupper a big summer move.
Arsenal are leading the race to sign Gyokeres and are believed to have held talks with the player’s entourage in Lisbon last month, before he joined up with his international team-mates in Sweden.
But Tomasson rubbished any suggestion that Gyokeres could be faking or exaggerating an injury, stating: ‘No! He felt a small injury and our medical team was already aware of it and we decided, together, to release him.
‘I spoke to Viktor last week. He hasn’t trained much in the last few weeks and was feeling some discomfort because of a small injury.
‘I was happy to see him and have him with us in this training camp. It says a lot about Viktor, how much he wants to get involved.’
A statement from the Swedish FA on Tuesday read: ‘He [Gyokeres] will leave the squad after dialogue with the national team’s medical team.
‘He needs to rehabilitate a minor injury and is therefore not available for the upcoming international matches against Hungary and Algeria.
Budapest’s Puskas Arena stages the first of Sweden’s two friendlies against Hungary on Friday evening.
Tomasson’s men then return home to Sweden entertain Algeria at the Stockholm’s Strawberry Arena.
With speculation and gossip mounting, Gyokeres insists he is still yet to make a final decision over his future.
‘We will see… nobody knows anything yet,’ Gyokeres said on the Flymoduspod podcast earlier this week.
‘I wish I had a more fun answer, but that’s all I can say for now.’
Sporting have grown increasingly resigned to losing Gyokeres this summer and club bosses are reportedly prepared to do business should they receive an offer of around £60million for the ex-Coventry City man.
Gyokeres’ current contract in Lisbon runs through to June 2028.
‘He is very happy here,’ Sporting manager Rui Borges said when asked for an update on Gyokeres’ future as they celebrated their Primeira Liga title triumph together.
‘He is very connected to the game, he wants to score and he is obsessed with it.
‘He is the best striker in Europe, as the numbers show,’ Borges added.
‘He will be attractive, but I believe that if he doesn’t leave Sporting, he will remain very committed to the club. He feels very happy here.’
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