Sporting Lisbon chief reveals Gyokeres discount in boost to Arsenal and Man Utd
Sporting Lisbon president Federico Varandas has offered a fresh update on Viktor Gyokeres ' future and claimed for the first time that he COULD leave for a reduced fee. The Swedish forward finds himself in the middle of a intense tug of war between Manchester United and Arsenal this summer.
Gyokeres is keen to leave the Portuguese giants, with reports suggesting that he had even gone on strike to push through an exit after he thought they had broken a promise to sell him for a reduced amount. Sporting wanted to repair relations with their star forward, only for him to turn down a clear the air meeting earlier this month.
Varandas has now spoken out again and is of the opinion that Gyokeres will be on the move before the end of the transfer window and confirmed that he will be allowed to depart for less than a €100m (£85.4m) release clause written into his contract.
"Sporting is calm regarding this matter," Varandas said. "Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyökeres. Fortunately, we have moved past the phase of selling our main asset.
"However, we remain sensitive to Viktor's dreams or those of any other athlete. Sporting has made a commitment that, after weeks of meetings, we will not demand the full amount of the clause; we will be reasonable regarding the amount requested for Viktor.
"Today, there is a strong likelihood that he will leave. I won't disclose the amount, but the player knows what it is. I can say that Viktor will not leave for 60+10m. He won't leave, absolutely not.
"In recent weeks, we have been paying attention. I saw a player, Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, go for 65 million, and I saw Matheus Cunha move to Manchester United for around 75 million euros. We are talking about players who are 26 years old. I believe Viktor could leave, unless he has the worst agent in the world, which I don't believe, as his agent is one of the best in the world."
Both Arsenal and United remain keen on Gyokeres this summer. But the Gunners have another option, having seen their first bid for the Swedish striker turned down.
RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko is also on their shortlist with the German side having reportedly reduced their asking price for the Slovenian.
Gyokeres was also linked with a move to Real Madrid but the Spanish giants have reportedly turned down the chance to sign him.
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