Sporting sees Almeria's Luis Suarez as their ideal replacement for Viktor Gyokeres in the midst of continuous transfer discussions with Arsenal and a £ 63.5 million deal that has continued to drag
Almeria President Joao Goncalves has warned sporting CP that they are willing to sell striker Luis Suarez elsewhere as negotiations with Arsenal Rumble On for Viktor Gyokeres. Sporting View ex-Watford frontman Suarez, who scored 31 goals last season in 43 performances, as the perfect replacement for their Sweden International Talisman.
However, there is also interest from Europe with Sunderland and Burnley between a list of parties who have asked first questions.
Sporting is only willing to continue with a deal for Suarez once they have completed the sale of Gyokeres to Arsenal, which still has to be ratified due to a disagreement about the potential add-ons involved in the £ 63.5 million package.
Almeria Chief Goncalves has now revealed that he is willing to continue in negotiations with other clubs and told CNN Portugal: “Luis has had his best season, he is at the best time of his career. 31 Goals is a song that every attacker wants to reach.
“We have not had any official contact with Sport so far. We have not received any formal or informal contact, but we have other clubs and we will continue negotiations with other clubs. We manage our timing.
“Real value? He has a release clause of € 40 million. To paraphrase Frederico Varandas – we don't ask for the value of the clause, but we are going to defend our interests.”
The Colombian International is under contract with Liga 2 -Outfit Almeria until 2029, but it is understood that the player wants to become a member of Sporting.
In the end, that could be the key, because even if Almeria agrees with another worshiper with another worshiper, Suarez can stay for sport.
Nevertheless, Goncalves' comments offer another motive for the Portuguese champions to quickly complete an agreement with Arsenal for Gyokeres. The Swede is waiting for permission to travel to London to undergo his medical examinations.
He will not travel with the Arsenal team to Singapore today for their pre-season tour through Asia, but he will probably continue to become a member of the group in due course as soon as all relevant formalities have been successfully closed.
Arsenal has already agreed an initial reimbursement of £ 55 million (€ 63.5 million) for Gyokeres and they also pay around £ 8.5 million (€ 10 million) in bonuses.
The preference of Sporting is to receive £ 2.2 million (€ 2.5 million) as soon as the 27-year-old has made 20 performances, £ 2.2 million (€ 2.5 million) once Gyokeres has affected 40 performances and then protects another £ 2.2 million (€ 2.5 million) as Arsenal Champions League qualification. The Gunners want the final bonus payment to be more difficult to achieve, but sports are said to look for guarantees that they will eventually receive the entire fee.
Arsenal and Sporting also discuss the FIFA solidarity mechanism that compensates for the earlier clubs of Gyokees for their role in the development of the striker.