Viktor Gyokeres has shared a mysterious message on Instagram amidst the uncertainty surrounding his future, with interest from clubs like Arsenal and Man United.
In an ongoing transfer saga, the striker, whose release clause is set at £84 million, used social media to share a message on his story.
He wrote: ‘There is a lot of talks at the moment, most of it false. I will speak when the time is right.’
‘I can guarantee that Viktor Gyökeres will not leave for €60m+10m (£51m+£8.5m) because I never promised him that.
‘The agent’s game only complicates things further. Up to this day, Sporting has not received an offer for Viktor Gyökeres, neither currently nor in the previous season.’
Viktor Gyokeres shared a cryptic message on Instagram as
Gyokeres had reportedly gone on strike at Sporting Lisbon to force a move away
Gyokeres was understood to have reached a gentleman’s agreement with the Portuguese champions over a reduced asking price earlier in the season.
Following positive discussions regarding his sale, he was assured he would be able to leave this summer if a club met €60m (£51m), plus €10m (£8m) in add-ons.
However, it has been reported by Portuguese outlet Record, that Sporting’s board have made a U-turn and are now seeking a fee in the region of €80m (£67m), which is said to have infuriated Gyokeres to the point of threatening to strike.
The club president’s very strong public response outlined Sporting’s stance.
He added: ‘It was agreed that Sporting would not demand the release clause at the end of the following season, especially because he was going to be 27.
‘Then, we knew Viktor’s dream of going to a club where he could fight for the Champions League and we have common sense.
Gyokeres’ Instagram post does little to provide clarity on the situation with his pledge to keep quiet until a later date.
‘We guaranteed that we would not demand 100 million. In that meeting, the agent wanted to anchor the departure to a value, he spoke of 60 million, 70 million… And I said “there’s no point in setting a value” because I don’t know what will happen here in a year, if he gets injured, if he has a disappointing season… There’s no point in setting a value, I don’t know if it will be 40, 60 or 80. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand 100 million’.
Arsenal and Manchester united are among the clubs interested in signing the striker
President Frederico Varandas has hit back at Gyokeres saying he will not bow down to threats
‘From then on, I never spoke to the agent again, I never spoke to the player about departures and values. 10 months have passed and I see the agent in the press spouting information here and there, but Sporting has common sense, it keeps its word.
‘The president of Sporting said that the club would not demand the clause and that we would adjust the value to Viktor’s performance, he was one of the best players ever to step on the pitch in Portugal.’
Gyokeres has removed any reference to Sporting on his Instagram account, having also got rid of any mention of Sweden and Nike.
He has three years remaining on his contract in Lisbon, but he is determined to take on a new challenge after just two years at the club, where he won the league twice, and completed a domestic double this campaign.
A Bola report that Gyokeres’ agent has been in London meeting with Arsenal and the Gunners, who are in the market for a striker, could make a move. That said, Benjamin Sesko is still understood to be their No 1 choice.
A reunion with Ruben Amorim could also be on the cards, with Mail Sport’s Simon Jones reporting that they are maintaining contact with officials at Old Trafford.
