Latest news with #Gyokeres'
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres update on 'signed Sporting letter' gives clarity on Arsenal move
Viktor Gyokeres' transfer saga has taken another twist which could mean Arsenal and Manchester United having to splurge an even bigger sum to sign the striker this summer Viktor Gyokeres' agent does not have a 'signed letter' from Sporting CP allowing him to leave for a fee less than his release clause, reports in Portugal claim. Gyokeres' sensational form over the past two seasons has seen Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United both heavily linked with the Swede this summer. And it has emerged that Gyokeres prefers a move to north London under Mikel Arteta over being reunited with his former boss, Ruben Amorim, at Old Trafford. But it appears his dream move to Arsenal has hit a stumbling block due to the fee demanded by the Portuguese champions being too high. Reports had stated that the 27-year-old striker would be allowed to leave Sporting for a fee below his £84m release clause. His agent, Hassan Cetinkaya, claimed he reached a gentleman's agreement with the club last summer which meant they would accept any offer in the region of £60m (€70m consisting of €60m plus €10m in bonuses), even saying that he had a signed letter to prove it. However, Sporting's club president Frederico Varandas has accused Gyokeres' team of trying to 'blackmail' the Portuguese giants into allowing their talisman to leave. The club are therefore holding out for a significantly higher fee which has stalled his potential exit. And on Wednesday, during a conversation between Luís Aguilar, Marco Caneira and Pedro Henriques on the Jogo Aberto podcast, it was claimed that there was indeed no written document signed by Sporting bosses that obliges the club to accept a lower offer. Former Sporting defender Caneira said: 'Sporting are calm, the agent's main problem is the contract he has with the player, which is coming to an end.' Co-host and former Benfica star Henriques added: 'Gyokeres' agent's strategy only creates chaos and discomfort.' Meanwhile, Portuguese publication A Bola reports that Cetinkaya's bold claim actually refers to a clause that allows him to receive 10% of any external offer over £51.3m (€60m), which Sporting rejects. It also states that the clause isn't in letter form but in the contract the Sweden international signed in the summer of 2023, following his move from Coventry City. If that clause is triggered, Sporting will then demand the full £84m release clause in order to let him go – something that is unlikely to sit well with the forward. Gyokeres has reportedly already threatened to go on strike after vowing to 'speak at the right time.' According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, he is 'very upset' with Sporting's current stance and has made his feelings clear to the club's hierarchy. Arsenal have not put all their eggs in one basket, as a result of the issues surrounding Gyokeres' exit from Sporting. Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig is also being hunted, and the Gunners are looking to see which deal will offer the best value for money. United, meanwhile, have so far struggled to follow up their signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, as Tottenham's interest in Bryan Mbuemo has seen that move stall. 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.
Metro
a day ago
- Sport
- Metro
Viktor Gyokeres tells friends his next club after Arsenal and Man Utd offers
Viktor Gyokeres has informed friends and family that he expects to leave Sporting for Arsenal this summer, according to reports. The 27-year-old has established himself as one of the most sought-after strikers in European football on the back of a magnificent second season with Sporting, in which he scored 54 goals in 52 games to help steer the club to a domestic double. A host of Europe's elite teams have been credited with an interest in signing Gyokeres, with the Gunners finding themselves in pole position to wrap up a deal for the prolific Sweden international. The likes of Juventus and Atletico Madrid have also been heavily linked, while Manchester United are understood to have made the former Coventry City man a lucrative offer to become the focal point of Ruben Amorim's misfiring attack. But Gyokeres is intent on playing Champions League football next term and is believed to have turned down a proposed move to Old Trafford in favour of a switch to the Emirates. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. A bitter feud between Gyokeres' agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, and Sporting's president, Frederico Varandas, has complicated matters somewhat, with the latter denying the existence of a supposed gentleman's agreement which would allow the player to leave for £59million. But Gyokeres is confident a resolution will be found in due course and according to talkSPORT, the Swede has now told his loved ones that they can expect to see him playing in Arsenal's colours next season. The north Londoners saw an opening offer of €55m (£46.8m) rejected out of hand by Sportin and are set to return with an improved bid for Gyokeres over the coming days. 'There is a lot of talks at the moment, most of it is false. I will speak when the time is right,' Gyokeres told his followers on Instagram last week. Gyokeres' current contract in Lisbon runs through to June 2028. RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko remains an option for Arsenal should they fail in pursuit of a deal for Gyokeres. However, the Gunners will have to fend off strong competition from Saudi Pro League outfit A-Hilal should they switch their attentions to the 22-year-old Slovenian this summer. While Arsenal have been in talks with RB Leipzig over a possible move for Sesko since last month, there has been little progress regarding a proposed deal, with the Bundesliga club demanding in excess of £70m for the attacker. Quizzed about rumours he is pressing RB Leipzig to lower their demands, Sesko's agent, Elvis Basanovic, told Give Me Sport: 'This is far from truth! 'We respect RB Leipzig and I am 100 per cent convinced RB Leipzig will also respect our decision for the next step when we decide to do it. 'Even if there may be – or will be – a strong desire of the player to move to a certain club, we will never force or blackmail RB Leipzig. 'I believe this is not the right way, because the way you actually exit from the club shows your values. Values that you are bringing into a new club. 'I can understand in very big transfers, there are a lot of different interests but no matter what, I believe in football world should be more respect. 'So that's why we do things in the right way or we don't do them. It's very simple, even maybe in the media it looks very complicated.' Basanovic suggested Sesko could opt to stay put in German football if he is not presented with the right offer this summer. 'Well, his numbers at his age compared to some strikers with already great careers at his age are confirming my words,' he added. 'He will move from RB Leipzig only when we recognise a special club, a special project with a special coach.' Who would be the better signing for Arsenal? For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Chelsea told to cancel Arsenal transfer deal at last minute MORE: Darwin Nunez approves transfer to next club but Liverpool set 'difficult' asking price MORE: Dortmund provide update on Chelsea transfer target Jamie Gittens after rejecting two bids
Metro
2 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Benjamin Sesko's agent sends message to Arsenal and Man Utd over transfer
Benjamin Sesko is ready to join a 'special club' this summer but the Arsenal target will not attempt to force his way out of RB Leipzig. The Gunners have made the Slovenia international and Sporting CP Star Viktor Gyokeres their top targets this summer as they seek to bring in a striker to lead Mikel Arteta's attack next season. Deals for both players are being explored with reports in Portugal claiming Arsenal have already seen an offer of €60million plus €10m in add-ons rejected for Gyokeres. Talks to bring Sesko to north London have been held but there has been no official bid for the 22-year-old, with Leipzig valuing him at between €80million and €100million. Gyokeres' relationship with Sporting has turned toxic over the last 10 days with the Sweden international determined to leave the club by any means necessary. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. The situation with Sesko is more serene by comparison with his agent Elvis Basanovic insisting there will be no attempts to engineer a move away from Leipzig. Asked about rumours he is pressing Leipzig to lower their demands, Basanovic told Give Me Sport: 'This is far from truth! We respect RB Leipzig and I am 100% convinced RB Leipzig will also respect our decision for the next step when we decide to do it. 'Even if there may be – or will be – a strong desire of the player to move to a certain club, we will never force or blackmail RB Leipzig. 'I believe this is not the right way, because the way you actually exit from the club shows your values. Values that you are bringing into a new club. 'I can understand in very big transfers, there are a lot of different interests but no matter what, I believe in football world should be more respect. 'So that's why we do things in the right way or we don't do them. It's very simple, even maybe in the media it looks very complicated.' Basanovic even suggested Sesko could choose to remain in Germany if the right club does not come forward with the right offer this summer. 'Well, his numbers at his age compared to some strikers with already great careers at his age are confirming my words. He will move from RB Leipzig only when we recognise a special club, a special project with a special coach.' Asked when a move could happen, he added: 'It can be next week… or next year, or in three years.' More Trending Manchester United also have long-standing interest in Sesko with Ruben Amorim eager to sign a striker this summer. Liam Delap rejected a move to Old Trafford to instead join Chelsea with Gyokeres' repreenatives also informing United he is not interested in a move. It remains to be seen whether Sesko would consider the red half of Manchester given the lack of European football on offer next season., MORE: Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund told to reject £38m transfer and join rival Premier League club MORE: Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly makes decision over Real Madrid transfer MORE: Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk charged by FA for doping and faces four-year ban
Metro
2 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Viktor Gyokeres rejects £11m contract offer as agent sends Arsenal message
Viktor Gyokeres has rejected a transfer to Juventus with the striker's agent informing the Serie A club that Arsenal are the first-choice destination, according to reports in Italy. Last week, Arsenal's sporting director, Andrea Berta, met with his counterpart at Sporting CP, Bernardo Palmeiro, in Menorca to discuss a deal for Gyokeres. However, Arsenal's initial proposal worth an €55m (£46.8m) plus a further €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons was rejected. Juventus are also in the market for a new striker and have made an approach to Gyokeres' agent this month. It's understood that Juventus indicated to Gyokeres' representative that they are willing to offer the striker a five-year contract worth €13m (£11m) a year before taxes. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Juventus were also ready to submit a bid to Sporting for Gyokeres which was worth in excess of £60m with add-ons factored in. However, Corriere dello Sport reported on Wednesday that Juventus are now out of the running to sign Gyokeres as the striker's agent has made it clear to the Italian club's general manager, Damien Comolli, that a move to Arsenal is the priority. Gyokeres has also rejected an approach from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal this month. More Trending The 27-year-old has a €100m (£85.1m) release clause in his contract but Sporting have been willing to sell the Sweden international for lower than that amount. However, Sporting have been angered by suggestions that a set transfer fee had been agreed ahead of the summer transfer window, with the Portuguese club's president, Frederico Varandas, criticising the striker's agent last week. During his negotiations to bring Gyokeres to Sporting in a £20m deal from Coventry City two years ago, the striker's agent, Hasan Cetinkaya secured an exclusive sales mandate which means that the Portuguese champions will have to pay the agent 10 per cent of the value of any rejected offer above €60m (£51m). However, it is understood that if Cetinkaya decides to activate that mandate this summer, Sporting will respond by demanding that Gyokeres' €100m (£85.1m) release clause is met. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Marcus Rashford ready to make Manchester United 'sacrifice' as Barcelona transfer fades MORE: Arsenal eyeing Sevilla midfielder as Thomas Partey future hangs in balance MORE: Newcastle United transfer odds: Keeping Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes the priority but Liverpool and Brighton stars could be on their way
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres left in no man's land as Arsenal 'agreement' comes to light
Arsenal have been searching for a new striker this summer and Viktor Gyokeres could be left disappointed amid claims the Gunners have reached an agreement with Benjamin Sesko Viktor Gyokeres headed into the summer transfer window as a man in demand - but the Sweden star could yet miss out on a dream move to Arsenal after a twist in proceedings. The Gunners and Manchester United have both been heavily linked with the Sporting Lisbon striker, 27, after watching Gyokeres enjoy another stellar campaign with the Portuguese champions. And it emerged last week that Gyokeres' preference i s a move to the Emirates, rather than Old Trafford. Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko have long been touted as the most likely options to fill Arsenal's No.9 vacancy - with Mirror Football understanding that, of the two, the RB Leipzig man has long been the preferred option. With news breaking in Germany on Wednesday that Arsenal have 'reached an agreement on personal terms' with Sesko, it seems Gyokeres could be the odd man out this summer. Arsenal's play for Sesko follows reports in Portugal that Real Madrid were offered the former Coventry City man's services. But Los Blancos are in the market for back-up striker, rather than someone who would command a significant first-team role like Gyokeres, and will not be signing him. It remains to be seen if Gyokeres would reconsider - or be more inclined to negotiate - a move to Manchester United, who have turned their attention to Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike, but are monitoring the possibility of a reunion for Gyokeres and head coach Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils are unable to offer European football, which is thought to be one of the reasons Gyokeres initially favoured a move to Arsenal. But he may eventually end up with little choice, with a number of Gyokeres' supposed preferred options this summer - Liverpool, PSG, Manchester City and Barcelona among them - just not in the market for the Swedish hitman. And, unfortunately for Gyokeres - and potentially United - there are other elements at play, too: Sporting have refuted claims that the striker is available for less than his release clause, with tensions now at an all-time high. Record have since claimed that Sporting approached Gyokeres' representatives in a bid to arrange clear the air talks, only for the player and his camp to rebuff them. Federico Varandas, the Sporting president, has already gone public to take aim at the player's agent and to make it clear that Gyokeres will not be sold on the cheap. He: "One thing you should already know is me better. Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me. "I can guarantee that Viktor Gyökeres will not leave for €60m+10m (£51m+£8.5m) because I never promised him that. This game that the agent is playing only makes the situation worse. To this day, Sporting has not had an offer for Viktor Gyökeres, neither today nor last season." It's a long summer and there are a lot of twists and turns to come. But as it stands, Viktor Gyokeres future is anything but certain - and there is an increasingly more likely scenario where he is left with nowhere to go. 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.
