Gyokeres update on ‘Sporting letter’ brings clarity on Arsenal transfer

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 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.