The summer transfer window is heating up, and Manchester United are right in the heart of the action.
With Ruben Amorim leading a major rebuild, the club are leaving no stone unturned as they chase attacking reinforcements.
While other targets have taken centre stage in recent weeks, one player’s plight is now grabbing the headlines.
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Fans across Europe are watching closely as tensions heighten between a key striker and his current club – and United could benefit dramatically.
The drama unfolding in Lisbon has put Viktor Gyökeres back in the spotlight as a potential Red Devil.
Sporting head coach Rui Borges was questioned about Gyokeres’s future during press duties on Tuesday, replying cryptically, “Sporting’s future begins on July 1st.
“That’s all I can say…” before delegating any further comment.
However, fresh reports on Wednesday suggest tensions have escalated behind the scenes, with the striker reportedly feeling “disrespected” and prepared to refuse any further involvement with the club.
Viktor Gyokeres is now reportedly threatening to never play for the club again, which would be an extraordinary development just a year after his move from Coventry City.
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Speaking at an event on Wednesday, Sporting president Frederico Varandas broke his silence, not just on the financial expectations, but on the emotional and professional strain the saga has created, as his quotes were relayed by Sebastiao Sousa-Pinto on X.
“I tried to take three days off, and I came back yesterday.
“I saw so much information and misinformation that it is only fair to explain the process.
It starts last year, when the season ended and Sporting became national champions.
“During the transfer window, we saw that he was going to stay because there was no offer.
“The agent spoke with us to add some clauses. Hugo Viana, as he always has done, and very well, managed the relationship with the agents.
“This relational space is handled by the sporting director.
One of the agent’s main concerns was whether we would enforce the release clause.
“Hugo Viana negotiated with the agents over several meetings until the agent requested the president’s presence.
“At that meeting, where the president, the agent, and Viana were present, Gyokeres was not there, but they wanted to secure certain guarantees.
What was agreed? That Sporting would not enforce the release clause now.
“For one reason: he was going to turn 27, and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for €90 or €100 million.
“In that same meeting, the agent wanted to anchor the exit to a value.
“I said this phrase: ‘It’s no use setting a value because I don’t know what will happen in a year.
“I don’t know if it will be 40, 60, or 80. What I can guarantee is that I won’t demand €100 million.’
“From that point on, I never spoke with the agent or the player about exits or values. Now I see the agent giving out information to the press.
“I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has good sense and keeps its word.
“Gyokeres has scored 63 goals, 10 assists. A fantastic performance. Surely one of the best players to have played on Portuguese pitches. And Sporting will not demand the clause.
“Now, blackmail and insults, Sporting will not tolerate.
“One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept €60 million plus €10 million. As of today, Sporting has not received any offer for Gyokeres.”
