Latest news with #ex-Coventry
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Gyokeres facing 'hefty fine' after going AWOL to force through Arsenal transfer
Viktor Gyokeres will face a 'hefty fine' for his actions in going AWOL from a pre-season camp to try and force through his transfer to Arsenal, as the Gunners watch on Sporting CP will punish Viktor Gyokeres after he snubbed their pre-season training camp in the Algarve in his latest bid to push through a £69million move to Arsenal. The Sporting squad departed the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo at around 5:35pm local time for Lagos, near Faro without their talismanic goalscorer, who's now facing disciplinary action after opting to remain in Sweden with his family. Sporting's players were asked to report at 4:30pm but unsurprisingly, Gyokeres did not show, nor did he arrive in the hour window that followed before the team bus eventually set off. Sporting president Frederico Varandas later said of Arsenal's bid: 'If they don't want to pay Viktor's fair market value, we're very comfortable with that for the next three years. This strategy is also making it more complicated for the player to leave. Nobody is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are. We're calm. Everything will be resolved with the market closing, a hefty fine and an apology to the group." Gyokeres has also now claimed he has unfinished business in the Premier League having also skipped training on Friday. The Sweden international, who has never featured in the top-flight despite making eight appearances for Brighton, said when asked about a potential return to England: 'It's one of the biggest leagues in Europe. I spent several years there without being able to play a single match, so of course, it's something I'd like to do, it would be great revenge!' READ MORE: Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres makes Bukayo Saka admission as he attempts to force transfer Arsenal officials spent last weekend in Lisbon trying to thrash out a deal during face-to-face talks and while negotiations remain advanced, they're yet to shake hands with Sporting. Their offer is understood to be worth an initial £56million plus up to £13m in add-ons, however, the Portuguese champions want £60m up front before bonuses – a request the Gunners are yet to match. France Football 's interview with Gyokeres took place in late May, but was published in L'Equipe on Saturday to add further fuel to the fire and rub salt into Sporting wounds. Sporting are expected to speak out on the matter before the end of the weekend when club officials are poised to make their dissatisfaction with the centre-forward's behaviour known. Mirror Football approached Sporting for comment. When asked by France Football which players within Europe had impressed him, the ex-Coventry and Swansea attacker name-dropped three Arsenal stars he could soon be calling team-mates. Gyokeres, who also declared he wants to play for 'a club that really wants him,' revealed: 'Midfielders like Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic at Manchester City or Bukayo Saka at Arsenal are impressive to watch. 'I've also faced very high-level defenders, like Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, it's a chance to play against those kinds of players.' Gyokeres - scorer of 97 goals in 102 Sporting appearances in the past two seasons - insists he must now be considered among the best strikers in world football. He added when asked what he makes of comparisons to Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski: 'I'm definitely one of them. It's hard to label myself, but yes, I'm at the same table as them now. 'They're extraordinary players, at the highest level for many years, who have proven themselves much more than I have. 'What I achieved at Sporting, I'm convinced I can achieve anywhere. 'They haven't seen the best of Gyökeres yet.'
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal's private feeling on Viktor Gyokeres transfer amid major stumbling block
Viktor Gyokeres has decided he will not play for Sporting Lisbon ever again as he bids to try and secure a move away from the club by going on strike amid Arsenal's interest Arsenal are still optimistic they will sign Viktor Gyokeres, who is threatening to go on strike to force a move. Gyokeres, 27, has told Sporting Lisbon he will not report up for pre-season training as they prepare to return this week. Reports in Portugal say Gyokeres wants to take drastic action to push through a £70m move to the Emirates. There has been an increasingly ugly stand-off between Gyokeres and Sporting president Frederico Varandas who is refusing to let him go without a fight. Gyokeres has effectively agreed personal terms on a five year contract but the clubs have stalled on agreeing a fee. Earlier this week Sporting imposed a 'cooling off' period after talks with Arsenal failed to produce agreement. Arsenal remain optimistic and keen but the move is in danger of stalling even though Gyokores is desperate to move to the Emirates. Sporting want around £70m with at least £60m up front and the rest in add-ons while Gyokores has insisted he has a 'gentleman's agreement' allowing him to go. Varandas has denied any such agreement is in place and Sporting are determined to stand firm on the price. READ MORE: Arsenal fans show anger with 'Arteta Out' messages as transfer frustration boils over That is the big obstacle but there is still huge optimism that the deal will get done for Gyokeres to become Arsenal's new No9. Gyokeres is making it clear he does not want to return to Sporting in a further stand-off but talks are being seen as drawn out rather than stalled. The ex-Coventry and Brighton striker Gyokeres left English football to become a huge hit in Portugal where he scored 97 goals in 102 appearances. Arsenal believe he can score the goals to be a hit in English football and they are pushing hard to get business done before they jet off on their preseason tour. They are closing in on a deal for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke despite huge fan backlash against his signature. They have announced Brentford's Christian Norgaard in a £12m deal, they have completed a deal on keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Arsenal also need to tie down Ethan Nwaneri, 18, who is entering the final year of his contract but wants playing time and the uncertainty around his future - with him fitting perfectly into Chelsea's model - is a huge concern.
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal issued 'cooling off' period as Viktor Gyokeres transfer talks hit wall
Viktor Gyokeres has become Arsenal's number one target this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to get a new striker over the line, but talks with Sporting Lisbon have proven difficult - with both parties failing to agree a fee Sporting Lisbon have imposed a "cooling off" period over talks with Arsenal on Viktor Gyokeres after reaching a stalemate with the Gunners. The Portuguese club decided to put talks on hold earlier this week after failing to reach an agreement for the Swedish striker, who is pushing hard to join Arsenal. But Sporting are now ready to resume serious negotiations within the next 48 hours but have so far stuck to their guns over the price as they want around £70m with at least £60m up front and the rest in add-ons. It is the latest twist in the saga but Arsenal are staying calm and deals can often take longer periods of time as it will be a difficult transfer to complete. Arsenal made huge progress last weekend and know that 27-year-old Gyokeres is determined to move to the Emirates and personal terms will not be an issue. But Sporting president Frederico Varandas has been adamant that there is no gentleman's agreement allowing him to leave - and they are determined to stand firm on the price. READ MORE: Arsenal ready to 'give up' on Viktor Gyokeres transfer over payment frustration That is the big obstacle but there is still huge optimism that the deal will get done for Gyokeres to become Arsenal's new No9. Gyokeres is making it clear he does not want to return to Sporting in a further stand-off but talks are being seen as drawn out rather than stalled. The ex-Coventry and Brighton striker Gyokeres left English football to become a huge hit in Portugal where he scored 97 goals in 102 appearances. Arsenal believe he can score the goals to be a hit in English football and they are pushing hard to get business done before they jet off on their preseason tour. They have announced Brentford's Christian Norgaard in a £12m deal, they have completed a deal on keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and are talking to Chelsea after making a £40m-plus for Chelsea's Noni Madueke. Arsenal also need to tie down Ethan Nwaneri, 18, who is entering the final year of his contract but wants playing time and the uncertainty around his future - with him fitting perfectly into Chelsea's model - is a huge concern. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd find new Victor Gyokeres transfer opportunity amid Bryan Mbeumo deadline
Manchester United still have work to do in the transfer window and updates have been offered on Viktor Gyokeres and Bryan Mbeumo as Ruben Amorim attempts to strengthen his squad There's little more than a month until the Premier League returns and the transfer window is well underway. But Manchester United have yet to make a significant splash in overhauling Ruben Amorim's squad. The Red Devils moved quickly to add Matheus Cunha to their squad and have confirmed the arrival of Diego Leon but otherwise struggled to make additions. Bids for Bryan Mbuemo have been placed but the club have yet to secure his signature from Brentford. And upon the club's return to pre-season training Marcus Rashford reported back on Monday and Tuesday - despite being given extra time off to find a new club United have yet to find a new club for Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia or Alejandro Garnacho. Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans all saw their contracts end, with the latter taking on a coaching role with the club. There is still plenty of work to be done in order to transform Amorim's side after they finished 15th in the Premier League last term. Mirror Football takes a look at the latest transfer news and rumours surrounding Old Trafford. READ MORE: Ex-Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick undergoes emergency surgery after botched operation Gyokeres loan Viktor Gyokeres will reportedly look for a loan move this summer should Arsenal fail to agree a deal for him. The Gunners are said to have reached an impasse with Sporting CP and are willing to walk away from a deal. But the ex-Coventry striker, who has been linked to Manchester United, remains adamant he will not play for the Portuguese side again after threatening to strike rather than return to pre-season training. Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce side are reported to be among the teams keeping tabs on the situation. Juventus are also monitoring Gyokeres' prospects as they look to add a striker. Free agent? Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic could be available for free this summer with the Serie A side poised to offer the Serbian a deal to terminate his contract. The striker, who has been linked to Manchester United amid Juve's reported interest in Jadon Sancho and Rasmus Hojlund, appears to have no future with the Old Lady. Vlahovic, 25 has continued to be linked with a move to England despite joining the Itailian giants ahead of Arsenal. Transfer talk has intensified this summer as the forward enters the final 12 months of his contract. Reports in Italy claim that Vlahovic will not entertain talks of a contract extension and it is claimed he would even be prepared to sit out of the entire 2025/26 campaign to rake in his €12m (£10.3m) salary. It now appears all but certain Vlahovic will leave Turin in the coming weeks as Juventus prepare to make Vlahovic an offer to rip up his contract. United confident of meeting Mbeumo deadline Manchester United are optimistic of agreeing a deal with Brentford to sign Bryan Mbeumo in time for the club's pre-season tour of the United States, report Sky Sports. Ruben Amorim wants his squad ready in time for the trip in order to integrate new players and ensure everyone is up to speed heading into the season. The Red Devils begin their time in the USA with a match against West Ham in New Jersey on July 26. There is said to be 'cautious optimism' at Old Trafford that a deal will get over the line. The clubs still have a gap in their valuation of the player with work in particular to be done on the structure of the deal. The Bees want a £65m transfer fee which United are said not to be far off, but the west London side want the majority of the fee to be paid up front. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal face another embarrassing transfer U-turn as Gyokeres concerns emerge
Arsenal's attempts to sign a new striker this summer have not been smooth as a deal for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres appears to have faltered as Andrea Berta looks elsewhere Arsenal face having to tuck their tail between the legs and returning to RB Leipzig over a deal for Benjamin Sesko - after reaching an impasse with Sporting CP in negotiations for Viktor Gyokeres. Gunners transfer chiefs are said to have left Lisbon with the clubs far apart in their valuations. Gyokeres' pre-season return was delayed by the Portuguese champions in anticipation of getting a deal over the line, while also managing the Sweden international's threat to go on strike. But Arsenal are now believed to be willing to walk away from the deal. And Gyokeres and his representatives are now fearing the worst over the prospects of a transfer. Arsenal have long wanted a new striker with it being a priority to add a goalscorer this summer, seeing the club turn their attention elsewhere. The stalling of negotiations in Portugal will see the north London side reignite their interest in Sesko. Arsenal had initially advanced deals with both Sesko and Gyokeres, with the former even said to be their preferred target. Arsenal saw a number of stumbling blocks attempting to sign the RB Leipzig striker, which saw them focus their attention on Sweden international Gyokeres. But such are the finances to sign the latter, who has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal, the Gunners are set to return for Sesko. Sporting director Andrea Berta is said to have initially moved on from Sesko after Leipzig would not relent on their €80m (£68.96m) asking price. Arteta's side were €10m (£8.62m) short in their offer, with the structure of the deal also proving problematic. And an agreement with Sesko was also not straightforward. Personal terms proved to be problematic with the combination of affairs forcing Arsenal to abandon talks. Sesko's agent Elvis Basanovic has previously dismissed the impact of speculation that Arsenal have been interested in moves for both forwards. 'Let me tell you: Sesko is not competing with anyone," he said. "It's him vs him every day. We have a clear plan for the future and media speculation doesn't affect us. Sesko is not just a striker, he is a special striker." Arteta wants to see a striker added to his squad before Arsenal fly to Singapore for a pre-season tour of Asia on July 19. The Gunners have already confirmed deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi this summer as the club attempt to go better in the Premier League. Gyokeres meanwhile, appears to have a back-up plan of his own. The ex-Coventry striker is said to remain adamant he will not play for Sporting again and will look to agree a loan deal to a European club. Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce side are reported to be among the teams keeping tabs on the situation. Juventus are also monitoring Gyokeres' prospects as they look to add a striker.
