Sporting Lisbon Gives Ultimatum On Viktor Gyokeres

The transfer window is heating up, and Sporting Lisbon isn’t messing around when it comes to their star striker, Viktor Gyokeres. The Portuguese champions have drawn a clear line. Pay the price or walk away. Arsenal, the club most aggressively chasing Gyokeres, could have a setback. 

While Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta has made Gyokeres one of his priority signings to bolster his frontline this summer, Sporting’s president, Frederico Varandas, has warned that any discount dreams are just dreams. If Arsenal or any other club doesn’t come close to the asking price of £70 million, they risk missing out on a striker who has lit up Portuguese football over the last 18 months.

Varandas Sets the Record Straight

Speaking to Portuguese media, Varandas was anything but subtle. He acknowledged Gyokeres’ desire to move but made it crystal clear that Sporting aren’t in a position where they have to sell. In his words, the club is “very calm” about the situation and fully prepared to keep Gyokeres if their demands aren’t met.

What is interesting is the balance Varandas tries to strike. On one hand, he talks about being “sensitive to the dreams” of their players. On the other hand, he references recent market moves to justify the huge valuation. He pointed to Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, who went for £51 million to Arsenal( not official yet), as well as the likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Both of whom were and are being negotiated for around £64 million. According to him, Gyokeres belongs in a higher bracket than all three.

“We are not asking for the release clause,” Varandas clarified, referring to Gyokeres’ £80 million release clause. “But we will be reasonable regarding the price we ask for Viktok unless he has the worst agent in the world, which I doubt because he is one of the best footballers in the world.” His message was clear that if Arsenal, or any other club, thinks they can sneak him out of Lisbon for £60 million, they’re wasting their time.

Arsenal’s Dilemma and Gyokeres’s Frustration

From Arsenal’s side, there has been frustration. Reports suggest that the Gunners were working under the assumption that a gentleman’s agreement would allow Gyokeres to leave for somewhere around £60 million. That understanding, however, seems to have collapsed, and now the Swede finds himself in limbo.

Gyokeres, 27, is reportedly furious with how things have played out. There are reports that he may even refuse to return to preseason training, which begins July 7, unless a deal is agreed beforehand. While nothing is official, sources close to the situation claim he’s already made it clear he’s not planning to report back unless something changes.

It is a bold move from a player who scored nearly 100 goals across two seasons and feels ready for the next level. He knows his stock is high and Arsenal know they need goals. It is why Arteta has not just been looking at Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško, who is Arteta’s first-choice target as the number 9.

The youngster is another exciting striker whose move is in a similar deadlock. Leipzig is also asking for £70 million, despite earlier indications that they might let him go for less. So now Arsenal are staring at two expensive targets and very little room to maneuver.

Final Thoughts

Arsenal has already wrapped up a deal for Zubimendi and is reportedly close to landing Christian Mosquera from Valencia CF for around £20 million. However, a marquee striker is still missing from their summer shopping list. Gyokeres, with his physicality, eye for goal, and big-game mentality, checks all the boxes. But with each passing day, it feels like this saga is becoming less about football and more about posturing and brinkmanship.

Sporting, meanwhile, is playing the long game. Varandas has hinted that the club has targets lined up in case Gyokeres leaves. But he’s also made it clear that if the striker stays, they’ll be “very, very happy” and fully expect him to deliver the same kind of dominance that made him a household name in the first place.

With less than two weeks before pre-season kicks off in full, something’s got to give. Whether it’s Sporting lowering their stance, Gyokeres forcing a move, or Arsenal pivoting to someone else entirely, this is one of those transfer battles where everyone knows the stakes.