Latest news with #TacadePortugal
Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Gyokeres decides on £11m-a-year contract offer amid Arsenal and Man Utd battle
Viktor Gyokeres has his heart set on a move to Arsenal and has rejected a huge £11m-per-year contract offer from Serie A side Juventus, according to reports from Italy Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly decided to reject a lucrative contract offer from Juventus, with the striker preferring a move to Arsenal. Gyokeres is one of the most in-demand footballers in Europe right now, having fired Sporting Lisbon to the double last season. The 27-year-old scored 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions as Sporting won the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal. Arsenal, Manchester United and Juventus have all been heavily linked with Gyokeres, but it appears the player has his heart set on a move to the Emirates. It emerged earlier this month that Juventus were ready to offer Gyokeres a stunning £11m-per-year deal to try and persuade him to snub a Premier League move in favour of a switch to Serie A. However, Corriere dello Sport are now reporting that Juventus have been informed that Gyokeres only wants to join Arsenal this summer. The news comes amid a public spat between Gyokeres' agent and Sporting over a supposed 'gentleman's agreement'. Gyokeres has an £85million release clause, but his agent has claimed he reached an agreement with the club last season that they would accept bids in the region of £60m. However, Sporting president Frederico Varandas has insisted that is not the case. "One thing you should already know is me better," said Varandas, per Record. "Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me. I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres 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 Gyokeres, neither today nor last season. I think it's fair to explain the whole process. "The process started last year when the season ended, Sporting were champions and had a fantastic season. During the transfer window we realised that Viktor was going to stay at Sporting because we didn't receive a single offer for him. "When the season started, the agent approached Hugo Viana several times, asking if we could add an extra fee to the contract if he scored 'x' goals; I gave Viana the opportunity to negotiate, within reason. "Viana manages the relationship with the agents, and very well, this is done by the sporting director. One of the agent's biggest concerns was whether we would demand the value of the €100m (£85m) clause next year. "Viana negotiated with the agents over several meetings, until the agent himself asked for the president's presence to settle the matter once and for all. The issue of the bonus for 'x' goals seemed reasonable and at that meeting, where the president, the agent and Viana were present, no player was present, Viktor was not present, the agent wanted to guarantee certain things."
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres' team-mate gives telling transfer message as tensions rise
Arsenal and Man Utd target Viktor Gyokeres is said to have rejected the idea of holding a meeting at Sporting CP to discuss his future further, and one of his team-mates has shared his thoughts Sporting CP striker Conrad Harder has offered his thoughts on fellow frontman Viktor Gyokeres' ongoing transfer saga. Gyokeres, 27, has attracted plenty of attention following his prolific two-year spell in Portugal. Arsena l and Manchester United are each interested in the ex-Coventry City star, who has scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting. And Gyokeres' future has taken another recent twist after he reportedly rejected the chance to have clear-the-air talks with Sporting. It is claimed that the tension initially stemmed from the club demanding a higher fee than expected after promising to sell him this summer. It remains to be seen where Gyokeres will be playing his football next season, as Arsenal have also had their attention on RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, while United is not seen to be the preferred option for Gyokeres, despite Old Trafford being where his former manager at Sporting, Ruben Amorim, now resides. However, despite the transfer drama surrounding Gyokeres, it clearly does not concern his Sporting team-mate Harder, who is in fact relishing the chance to take his place next term. "Gyokeres? I'm not interested in any news,' Harder told Sport TV, as per Portuguese outlet A Bola. 'I am focusing on myself. I want to play. We'll see what happens. 'It's important for me to have minutes now. I was on the bench for a year, and I need to play. I think I'm ready, and we'll see. It will be good to have minutes. 'We will never forget what Viktor did at Sporting. Never! But I hope that the team and I can live up to the challenge. I'll do my best. I think I'm ready. 'I'm not ready to be the new Viktor; he's 27 years old, I'm 20... But I'm prepared to do what I'm best at. And we'll see what I can bring to the team. I want to stay at Sporting.' Harder spoke after scoring a brace for Denmark in their draw with Finland at the Under-21 Euros on Wednesday. The young forward will hope to keep his place for Denmark's quarter-final clash with France as he also seeks to prove he can fill the potential void left by Gyokeres at Sporting. "I can use this tournament to gain some form. I haven't played that much in the last four or five months, so having game minutes is incredible,' Harder explained. 'I think I've already proven to many people that I'm ready to play, but I want to prove a little more that I'm ready to play.' Harder was forced to be back-up to Gyokeres after arriving from Nordsjaelland last summer, but he made the most of his limited time on the pitch. He ended the season with 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, despite only making 21 starts, as Sporting won the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal. Meanwhile, Gyokeres, who is currently on holiday in Saint Tropez, recently dismissed the noise around his future. Posting on his Instagram story, the striker wrote: "There is a lot of talks at the moment, most of it is false. I will speak when the time is right." However, Sporting president Frederico Varandas has spoken openly about Gyokeres' situation. Varandas defended the club's position and explained that Sporting are yet to receive an offer for their talisman. 'One thing you should already know is me better. Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me,' Varandas said, as per Portuguese outlet Record. "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." He added: "I think it's fair to explain the whole process. The process started last year when the season ended, Sporting were champions and had a fantastic season. During the transfer window we realised that Viktor was going to stay at Sporting because we didn't receive a single offer for him. "When the season started, the agent approached Hugo Viana several times, asking if we could add an extra fee to the contract if he scored 'x' goals; I gave Viana the opportunity to negotiate, within reason." 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
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres in new transfer rejection after strike claim & Arsenal decision
Real Madrid were offered the chance to sign Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, but they are focusing on other targets as new boss Xabi Alonso begins to shape his squad Real Madrid have turned down the opportunity to sign Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres this summer. Gyokeres is looking to move to pastures new this summer, having enjoyed another prolific campaign for Sporting Lisbon. The 27-year-old netted 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions as Sporting did the double, winning the Primeira Liga and the Taca de Portugal. Mirror Football understands that Gyokeres prefers a move to Arsenal ahead of any other club, but a dispute between the player and Sporting has threatened any deal. Sporting have denied suggestions there was a 'gentleman's agreement' in place for Gyokeres to leave for £60million, with the club's president publicly criticising the striker's agent. "I want to make one thing clear: we at Sporting have common sense,' Frederico Varandas told Record. "We said two things (at the start of the season): that we would not demand €100million and that the value would depend on the performance of Viktor. How did he perform? Sixty-three goals, 17 assists (for club and country), fantastic form, one of the best seasons in the history of Portuguese football. "Even then, Sporting will not demand his release clause. But people should know that threats, blackmail and insults will not work with me. I can guarantee one thing: Viktor Gyokeres won't leave here for €60m plus €10m in add-ons. He won't, and the game the agent is playing will only make the situation worse. As of now, we haven't had one offer for him." Madrid are in the market for a new striker and were offered the chance to sign Gyokeres. But, as first reported by the Athletic, while the Swede may be liked by some at the Bernabeu, he is simply too expensive for what they want. Los Blancos want a No.9 to act as backup to Kylian Mbappe, someone who offers an aerial threat if required late in games. Joselu gave them that in 2023-24, but after his exit, it was lacking last term. Reports have claimed that Gyokeres is prepared to go on strike in a bid to force through moves and he has addressed those claims on social media. "There is a lot of talks at the moment, most of it is false. I will speak when the time is right," he said on Instagram. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Gyokeres, with Arsenal also considering moves for Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins. The Gunners are to make any signings so far this summer, but manager Mikel Arteta has told fans to expect a "big summer" in the transfer market and Sesko is believed to be his No.1 target. "It's going to be a big one and we are very excited about it," he said. "The way we planned the five first summers, they were going to be very big and they were going to have different objectives because the turnaround of players and the objective of those windows was going to be different. "But now when you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad but as well we want to increase the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step. I think Andrea [Berta] is a big addition to the club, a big addition to the team, a team that is already formed with a lot of great people. "Every summer is big because it is an opportunity and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now that is necessary. But it's a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team."
Evening Standard
5 days ago
- Sport
- Evening Standard
How to watch Boca Juniors vs Benfica: TV channel and live stream for Club World Cup match today
They did bring home the Taca de Portugal this season but will not readily turn down another piece of silverware, and have an opportunity to get their campaign off to a good start against Boca tonight.
Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres 'picks out of Arsenal and Man Utd' as agent holds transfer talks
Sporting CP sensation Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly decided on his preferred Premier League destination between Arsenal and Manchester United as his agent enters discussions The agent of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly taken a giant leap towards landing his client a Premier League transfer. And it isn't good news for Manchester United fans after the player's agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, is understood to have met with Arsenal's owners. Things have seemingly taken a sour turn in Lisbon very quickly after it emerged Gyokeres was not happy with Sporting, where he has become an icon in two seasons. It's alleged the Sweden striker was under the impression a 'gentleman's agreement' would allow him to leave for around £59million this summer. But after scoring 97 times in 102 appearances for the Lions, it seems Sporting are intent on receiving the full value of his £85m release clause if he's to leave. And it's led to claims Gyokeres will go on strike if needed in order to force through a dream move this summer. CNN Portugal reported Cetinkaya met with Arsenal's owners on Wednesday in an effort to expedite a deal. The Gunners reportedly sent a delegation to Lisbon last month to discuss a potential move for Sporting's prolific frontman. The update suggests talks between the two parties are "very advanced." And although Arsenal's representatives have met with Sporting in the past, it's understood matters are now looking more formal ahead of a potential deal being struck. It's also suggested that a move to the Emirates Stadium has been Gyokeres' preference "from the very beginning." And it could mean United boss Ruben Amorim, the man who brought him to Portugal from Coventry City, is left out in the cold. Gyokeres' inner circle have already made it clear they want him to remain in Lisbon. The player's uncle, Chris, revealed at the Taca de Portugal final, where Gyokeres forced extra time before lifting the title, that the family encouraged their star to stick in his current surroundings. When asked if the family felt a connection to Lisbon, he told "Yes, very much. Yesterday at dinner, we decided that he has to stay." Not only that, but Gyokeres' girlfriend, Ines Aguiar, has also campaigned for him to stick around. According to A Bola, she "promised" to do her utmost to convince him to commit to a third season with Sporting despite the swell of transfer interest. Gyokeres recently ruled out a return to his home nation and told Swedish Vogue: "After living in a warm country, it would be difficult. In Sweden, people work hard during the week and only socialize on the weekends. Here there is more life during the week. They have dinners with friends, a glass of wine on Monday. I like that." Mikel Arteta's side may have left United in their wake after seemingly moving ahead in discussions. Arsenal appear to be intent on making up for last year's shortcomings by signing an elite striker this summer. Injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus left the club short last season despite calls to add to their forward department. And it left new signing Mikel Merino with the responsibility of leading the line for much of this season. The Spaniard did well in his makeshift role and scored 10 goals between January and May. However, the Gunners are under no illusion that a more natural talent is required up top, and the benefit of offering Champions League football is a major advantage over United. The same can be said for United after a record-low finish of 15th in the Premier League. The likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have failed to set the world alight as hoped at Old Trafford, with Amorim now seeking to make his own mark on the squad. Gyokeres, 27, isn't the only forward target believed to be on Arsenal's radar. The club has been closely linked with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko this summer, with the club's hierarchy seemingly keen on the Slovenia international. However, recent developments would suggest Gyokeres remains the preferred pick if the Gunners get their way. And it may mean United are left devastated as a direct rival hoovers up one of the most coveted talents on the market.
