Sporting star skips training amid explosive “gentleman’s agreement” dispute with club hierarchy
The Viktor Gyökeres transfer saga has taken a dramatic turn, with the Swedish striker now effectively on strike at Sporting CP to push through his dream move to Arsenal. The 26-year-old goalscorer, who lit up Portuguese football last season, failed to report for pre-season training on Friday despite being given extra time off amid the ongoing transfer talks.
A Tense Standoff in Lisbon
Gyökeres was expected back at Sporting’s training ground on July 11 but never showed up. Club officials have now ordered him to return on Saturday—but sources suggest he may still refuse, risking disciplinary action as he remains in Sweden instead.
The heart of the dispute? A reported “gentleman’s agreement” that Gyökeres claims entitles him to leave if a €60m (£51.8m) + €10m (£8.6m) offer arrived this summer. Arsenal have met that threshold with a bid, but Sporting president Frederico Varandas denies any such pact exists—and is now demanding a staggering €80m (£68.6m) to sell.
Arsenal’s Pursuit & Gyökeres’ Ultimatum
Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta flew to Lisbon last week for direct negotiations, only to leave empty-handed. Despite this, Gyökeres has already agreed personal terms on a five-year Arsenal deal—and has reportedly told Varandas he “will never play for Sporting again.”
Why This Deal Isn’t Straightforward
- Sporting’s Stance: Varandas is playing hardball, banking on Gyökeres’ 43-goal debut season to justify his €80m price tag.
- No Bidding War: The striker’s insistence on only joining Arsenal has deterred rivals like Manchester United and Juventus.
- Risk of a Frozen-Out Star: If Sporting refuse to budge, they could face a season with a disgruntled star—or a last-minute compromise.
What Happens Next?
With Gyökeres digging in and Sporting under pressure, this could become one of the summer’s most explosive transfers. Will Arsenal up their bid? Can Varandas afford to lose his top scorer in such acrimonious fashion? One thing’s certain: this battle is far from over.
Stay tuned for updates as this high-stakes poker game unfolds.
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