Viktor Gyokeres' attempts to leave Sporting Lisbon have become a bitter saga, but there may be some light at the end of the tunnel with Man United and Arsenal who want to sign him
Sporting Lisbon President Federico Varandas has offered a new update about the future of Viktor Gyokeres and claimed for the first time he could leave for a reduced compensation. The Swedish attacker is in the middle of an intense tugboat between Manchester United and Arsenal this summer.
Gyokeres wants to leave the Portuguese giants, with reports that suggest that he had even been strike to push an exit through after he thought they had broken a promise to sell him for a reduced amount. Sporting wanted to repair the relationships with their star ahead, only for him to reject the air meeting earlier this month.
Varandas has now pronounced again and is of the opinion that Gyokees will be on the move before the end of the transfer window and confirmed that he can leave for less than a release clause of € 100 million (£ 85.4 million) that was written in his contract.
“Exercising is calm about this issue,” said Varandas. “Secondly, Sport does not have to sell Viktor Gyökeres. Fortunately, we have moved beyond the sale phase of the sale of our main license.
“However, we remain sensitive to the dreams of Viktor or that of another athlete. Sport has made a commitment that after weeks of meetings we will not demand the full amount of the clause; we will be reasonable with regard to the requested amount for Viktor.
“Today there is a strong chance that he will leave. I will not reveal the amount, but the player knows what it is. I can say that Viktor will not leave for 60+10m. He will not leave, absolutely not.
“We have paid attention in recent weeks. I saw a player, Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, 65 million, and I saw Matheus Cunha moving to Manchester United for around 75 million euros. We are talking about players who are 26 years old.
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Both Arsenal and United remain enthusiastic about Gyokeres this summer. But the Gunners have rejected another option, who have seen their first bid for the Swedish striker.
RB Leipzig Forward Benjamin Sesko is also on their shortlist, whereby the German side reportedly reduced their asking price for the Slovenian.
Gyokees was also due to a move to Real Madrid, but the Spanish giants reportedly rejected the chance to sign him.