Viktor Gyokeres is ‘furious’ with Sporting CP after the Portuguese giants made the decision not to sell him for a reduced fee this summer.
Gyokeres, 26, emerged as one of Europe’ most prolific centre forwards last season, finishing the campaign with 52 goals in 54 appearances.
It followed a thrilling first campaign in Portugal where he netted 43 in 50 appearances under current Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.
The Sweden international fired Sporting to a league and cup double in May and has remained coy on his future, even failing to rule out the possibility of another season at Lisbon.
But privately, Gyokeres has fully expected to be sold by the club this summer.
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The former Coventry City star has a release clause of €100million. But last year, in return for him staying on for another season, Sporting agreed to sell him this summer for a fee below that clause.
It was agreed if Sporting received an offer of at least €60m with a further €10m in add-ons, they would not stand in his way.
Record report however Sporting president Frederico Varandas has decided not to honour that agreement. While the Portuguese champions are still waiting for official bids, clubs who have made enquiries have been told it will cost at least €80m to do business.
Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs interested in signing Gyokeres having seemingly turned their attention elsewhere in recent weeks.
Manchester United are also interested in signing him this summer but would likely need to raise further cash this summer to move forward with a bid with O Jogo reporting there still have been no official approach from Amorim’s side.
The situation has left Gyokeres ‘furious’, feeling the club have gone back on their word and abandoned promises made to him last summer.
The striker has also removed references to Sporting from his Instagram account – although he also appears to have removed mentions of sponsor Nike and the Sweden national team.
Expert analysis: Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres is a bunch of different strikers blended into one. He’s a bulldozer, but he’s also got that turn of pace and knack of finding himself in shooting areas. Some strikers, you can see they overthink things, but he’ll shoot first and ask questions later.
At 6ft 2in, he could definitely add an aerial presence to his game to take himself to the next level, but he’s very good at using his chest as a magnet to win these aerial duels.
He may not be as fearless as others when it comes to aerial duels, but he knows how to use his strengths to his advantage to hold up the ball and bring others into play.
He’s not someone like Roberto Firmino who is going to be dropping deep, so if Arsenal need to change certain things to get the best out of Gyokeres then they should.
Zach Lowy, European football expert
With Chelsea signing Liam Delap and Arsenal focusing on Benjamin Sesko, Gyokeres’ options in the Premier League may have narrowed to United. The player has also turned down what would be a hugely lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
United have no European football on offer this season but that did not prevent them from signing Matheus Cunha from Wolved.
Bryan Mbeumo has also favoured a move to Old Trafford ahead of Arsenal and Newcastle with United expected to make a second bid for the Brentford star soon.