Sporting Set to Avoid High Price Tag for Man Utd and Arsenal Hopeful Gyokeres

The president of Sporting, Frederico Varandas, has indicated that he won’t impose a steep asking price for striker Viktor Gyokeres amid growing transfer speculation.

The Swedish international has emerged as one of Europe’s leading forwards, having netted an astonishing 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portuguese champions during the previous season.

He has been linked with various clubs, including Manchester United and Arsenal, for an extended period as the transfer saga continues.

Recently, Varandas provided an update on the 27-year-old, which does little to advance the interests of potential suitors.

Gyokeres possesses an £85 million release clause in his contract, which still has three years left to run. Reports suggested that an understanding had been reached allowing him to depart for £59 million this summer.

Varandas has shot down those claims, presenting a significant setback for the clubs vying for his signature. “I can assure you Viktor Gyokeres will not be leaving for £60 million plus £10 million in add-ons, as I never made that promise,” Varandas stated.

“To this day, Sporting has not received any offers for Gyokeres—neither today nor in the previous season.”

A potential transfer to Old Trafford would reunite the forward with his former Sporting manager, Ruben Amorim, in what could be a storybook move.

Nevertheless, Varandas conceded that with Gyokeres now at the peak of his career, it would be challenging to predict whether he would depart for a hefty fee in the future.

“One of the agent’s main concerns was whether we would insist on the release clause,” Varandas revealed. “He sought assurance regarding certain matters. And what was decided? That Sporting would not enforce a release clause at this moment.

“The reason is straightforward: he will be 27 years old, and players typically don’t leave Portugal at that age for €100 million or €90 million. In that very same meeting, the agent wanted to tie the exit to a specific value. I stated: ‘It’s pointless for us to set a figure as I can’t predict what might happen in a year. It could be €40 million, €60 million, or €80 million. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand €100 million.’