Sporting president insists Viktor Gyokeres is worth more than Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo as he refuses to sell star striker on the cheap
Gyokeres, 27, has been linked with a string of Premier League clubs after two prolific seasons in Portugal in which he scored 97 goals in 102 appearances, firing Sporting to back-to-back league titles.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Varandas insisted Sporting do not need to sell Gyokeres but will respect the player's dream of moving if a club meets what they believe is a fair market price.
'Sporting is very calm regarding Viktor Gyokeres,' Varandas told O Jogo. 'Sporting does not need to sell him, but we remain sensitive to the dreams of Viktor and any of our athletes.
'After weeks of meetings, we are not asking for the release clause and will be reasonable regarding the price we ask for Viktor. Today, I believe there is a strong probability he will leave.
'We have been watching the market and I saw [Martin] Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, leave for €65million. I saw Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both forwards but who, in my opinion, do not have Viktor's market value or quality, being negotiated for around €75million.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas (right) expects Gyokeres to leave but not on the cheap
'Given the demands we consider fair, I believe Viktor could leave – unless he has the worst agent in the world, which is hard for me to believe, because he is one of the best footballers in the world.'
Reports have suggested Sporting are holding out for around €80million (£67.7m) for Gyokeres, with Manchester United and Arsenal among the clubs interested in the former Coventry City striker.
United have already signed Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m this summer and have also seen multiple bids rejected for Brentford forward Mbeumo.
Varandas refused to confirm the exact figure he expects for Gyokeres but made it clear Sporting will not accept a cut-price deal, saying: 'The player knows, the agent knows, and I can guarantee, with absolute certainty, that Viktor will not leave for €60million plus €10million in add-ons.
'It's not about trying to gain something, it's that he simply will not leave for that – absolutely will not.'
Varandas said the situation will play out in one of two ways: either a club will respect Gyokeres' market value and allow the striker to realise his dream, or he will remain at Sporting with three years left on his contract.
'If Viktor stays, we will be very, very happy – and it will be a problem for our rivals,' he added.
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