Latest news with #FredericoVarandas
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Viktor Gyokeres is 'left FURIOUS with Sporting Lisbon after club chief's comments' - as 'betrayed star repeats strike threat' in boost for Arsenal and Man United
Viktor Gyokeres is 'left FURIOUS with Sporting Lisbon after club chief's comments' - as 'betrayed star repeats strike threat' in boost for Arsenal and Man United Viktor Gyokeres is reportedly looking to force a move away from Sporting Lisbon The striker is unhappy at comments that were made by the club's hierarchy LISTEN: Will Liverpool sign Alexander Isak? Merseyside reporter Lewis Steele provides the latest on the potential transfer on Whistleblowers podcast Arsenal and Manchester United target Viktor Gyokeres will reportedly attempt to force a transfer from Sporting Lisbon this summer. The striker has been heavily linked with a move away from the Portuguese club, who are attempting to increase the potential fee for a transfer. As reported by Record, Gyokeres will refuse to return to Sporting as he looks to secure a departure. Gyokeres is unhappy with comments made by Sporting president Frederico Varandas. Although he will be given an extra week off before he is expected to return to pre-season training, it is now anticipated that Gyokeres won't show up. Gyokeres has also reportedly threatened to publicly voice his opinion on the situation. The Sweden international isn't pleased at suggestions that the club won't honour the agreement that was in place to let him leave for less than his release clause. Viktor Gyokeres could attempt to force a transfer from Sporting Lisbon this summer Reports have indicated that Gyokeres will refuse to return to Sporting for pre-season training Gyokeres is unhappy with comments made by Sporting president Frederico Varandas Varandas said: 'Sporting is calm regarding this matter. Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyokeres. 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.' Although Varandas acknowledged that Gyokeres is likely to depart, he stated that the fee will be much higher than the potential price of £60million plus £10million in add-ons. He also claimed that Gyokeres is worth more than Matheus Cunha, who joined Manchester United from Wolves for £62.5million. Varandas said: '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. '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. '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.' Gyokeres, whose current contract at Sporting runs until 2028, scored 54 goals in 52 club games last season. Mikel Arteta could look to bring in Gyokeres to add to Arsenal's attacking options Gyokeres has previous experience of working with Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim Both Arsenal and United are looking to add to their attacking options during the summer transfer window. Gyokeres previously worked with United boss Ruben Amorim at Sporting, while he could be tempted by the possibility of joining the Gunners, who have also been linked with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Sporting refuse to budge on Gyokeres fee – but admit Arsenal target WILL leave ‘unless he has worst agent in the world'
ARSENAL have been told by Sporting Lisbon they will NOT budge on their Viktor Gyokeres valuation in another transfer window hammerblow. And the Portuguese giants' president Frederico Varandas has warned the Gunners: pay up or miss out. 4 4 Boss Mikel Arteta has earmarked the striker as a top target to bolster his attack in this window, alongside Red Bull Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko – but both deals are currently in limbo. Gyokeres, 27, has been left furious with Sporting over an alleged breach of a gentleman's agreement that would let him leave for around £60m – lower than his release clause of around £80m – and is now refusing to play for the Portuguese side again. Arteta was hoping to land the Swede for a bargain price, but Varandas has doubled down on only selling the star for a fair market value, citing Arsenal 's move for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi and Manchester United 's pursuit of new-boy Matheus Cunha and Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo. Varandas has even threatened to keep Gyokeres in Portugal if Arsenal continue to low ball, hoping to receive close to £70m to seal the switch. He said: 'Sporting is very calm regarding Viktor Gyokeres. We do 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 £51million. "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 £64m. 4 BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Inside Arsenal's frustrating striker transfer saga By Jordan Davies ARSENAL'S never-ending hunt for a world-class striker is in turmoil as deals for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres stall. The Gunners were confident of doing their business quickly this summer after months of preparation by boss Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta. But inflated asking prices and broken gentlemen's agreements have derailed those plans and left Arsenal frustrated. Sesko believed he would be allowed to leave RB Leipzig for around £60million, while SunSport understands Gyokeres was told £59m would be enough to seal his own exit. But those price-tags have gone up, leaving Arsenal debating whether they represent value for money. While the players' camps are also growing restless, knowing the Gunners can only sign one of them. So what next? Will Arsenal keep waiting in the hope of fees eventually going down? Or turn to other targets, like Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike? Whatever they decide, with pre-season looming and the fixtures already out, Arteta will be desperate for them to move quickly to avoid another nearly season. '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. 'The player knows, the agent knows, and I can guarantee, with absolute certainty, that Viktor will not leave for £60m.' Liverpool's £100m Barcola bid / Gyokeres forces Man Utd move / Grealish City axe | Transfers Exposed Christian Norgaard to Arsenal LATEST | Transfers Exposed United – who are also monitoring Gyokeres' situation – have already signed Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m this summer and have also seen multiple bids rejected for Mbeumo. Arsenal are set to announce the arrival of midfielder Zubimendi, and are in talks to sign Valencia centre back Christian Mosquera for around £20m. Varandas said: 'If Viktor stays, we will be very, very happy – and it will be a problem for our rivals. 'We are completely prepared to move for our target if Viktor leaves.' Gyokeres is currently on holiday after international duty with Sweden and is due to report back for pre-season in Lisbon on July 7 unless a deal is struck before then. Arsenal are in a similar mess with 22-year-old Sesko, who is angry over Leipzig's hard-ball stance, demanding £70m despite a lower initial gentleman's agreement in January. 4
New York Times
a day ago
- Business
- New York Times
‘Strong probability' Viktor Gyokeres is sold below €100m clause, says Sporting CP president
Sporting CP's president has said there is a 'strong probability' Viktor Gyokeres is sold this summer and the club will 'give in' to an offer below his €100million (£85.4m, $117.2m) release clause. Gyokeres scored 54 goals in 52 games in 2024-25 for the Portuguese club and is under consideration from Arsenal in their efforts to sign a No 9 this summer. Advertisement The 27-year-old Sweden international's preference is to play for a team in the Champions League, although Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim remains a major admirer having worked together at Sporting before the Portuguese departed last winter. Frederico Varandas insists his club are 'very calm' about the striker's future and insisted they have no financial need to sell their prized asset, whom the president describes as 'one of the world's best players'. The Sporting president said both Gyokeres and his agent have been informed by Sporting of what their valuation is. When speaking in an interview with O Jogo of what he considered to be a fair market value for the Sweden international, the Sporting president cited United paying the £62.5m (€73.2m) release clause to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers. United have also had a second bid for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo, comprised of £55m upfront and £7.5m of bonuses, rejected by the west London club. 'These players do not have the market value or the quality of Viktor, in my opinion,' Varandas said. 'They (Cunha and Mbeumo) are being negotiated for values of around €75m. We are sensitive to Viktor's dreams or that of any players. 'Today I think there is a strong probability that he (Gyokeres) will leave.' Varandas added: 'I can guarantee, with absolute certainty, that Viktor will not leave for €60m plus €10m.' Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 games since moving to Sporting from Coventry City in 2023. He helped them lift the Primeira Liga title last year and win a league and cup double this time around. He scored only one goal for Brighton & Hove Albion before departing on loan to both Swansea City and later Coventry. Coventry made the move permanent in 2021 and he went on to score 43 times in 117 games. The Swede joined Sporting for a club-record fee in July 2023, signing a five-year contract. (FILIPE AMORIM/AFP via Getty Images)
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Sporting president insists Viktor Gyokeres is worth more than Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo as he refuses to sell star striker on the cheap
Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas believes Viktor Gyokeres will leave the club this summer, but has warned potential suitors they will not get the Swedish 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.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Viktor Gyokeres soaks up the sun in Greece as £85m wantaway Sporting star waits for offers from Arsenal and Man United with Premier League duo weighing up their striker target options
Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has been spotted on holiday in Greece amid links to a summer move to the Premier League. Gyokeres, 27, was seen catching rays on the Greek island of Mykonos in a pair of striped trunks and sporting sunglasses aboard a private yacht. He was seen with a group of friends who appeared to be in high spirits during what is a well-earned break for one of Europe's most talked about forwards Speculation over his future has intensified with Arsenal and Manchester United both reportedly interested in signing the Swedish international. He scored 54 goals in 52 appearances for Sporting last season and has reportedly contacted Sporting president Frederico Varandas to demand a transfer. But his lofty price-tag could prove a hindrance in both the Gunners' and the Red Devils' pursuit of the forward. Gyokeres is said to have believed that he reached a gentleman's agreement with Sporting last summer that would see the Portuguese league champions accept a fee around €70million (£60million, including add-ons, at the end of the 2024-25 season. However, Sporting are now appearing to hold out for a significantly increased fee - with Gyokeres having a €100m (£84m) release clause in his current contract. Despite Gyokeres' apparent agitation for a move, Varandas accused his team of attempting to 'blackmail' Sporting, while he reportedly threatened to go on strike after vowing to 'speak at the right time'. Now Gyokeres has made his thoughts clear to Varandas in a phone call, where he told him he wants to join Arsenal and should be allowed to after 'giving everything for the club,' according to Portuguese publication Record. The report claims that the Swede will refuse to return to Lisbon and will 'never forgive those responsible' if a move to Arsenal breaks down'. Arsenal are also exploring options over the signing of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, who is believed to be sporting director Andrea Berta's preferred option over Gyokeres. Sources close to the club suggest that Sporting Lisbon's keenness to offload Gyokeres has become clearer by the day and arguably weakened their hand. Internally, there was already reservations over the 27-year-old because Portugal's Primeira Liga is a totally different proposition to the Premier League, even though he scored 39 league goals last season. Berta is said to have other striker options in mind. If a deal for Sesko or Gyokeres was not to materialise, the prospect of a surprise name entering the frame is a possibility. Sources told MailSport that RB Leipzig are driving a hard bargain over Sesko because they know how desperate the Gunners are for a striker and the limited availability of world-class forwards.
