Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres is strongly connected to a move to Arsenal, but the vice-president of the Portuguese club insists that they have had no offers and do not want to sell their top players
Sporting Vice President Francisco Salgado Zenha says that the club should not yet receive offers for Viktor Gyokeres as Arsenal Circle – but claims that they will not be forced to sell their best players.
Gyokees has just enjoyed a wonderful year in Portugal and broke the 50-goal barrier when he helped winning two trophies, making him one of Europe's most wanted frontmen. It is understanding that a reimbursement of approximately £ 66 million will be sufficient to lure him to the emirates.
However, the hierarchy of Sporting does not yet have to receive a supply and his hatred to see that more of their top players are leaving the capital. In recent years they have lost the will of Nuno Mendes and Manuel Ugarte while Geovany Quenda will leave this summer – he has been signed for Chelsea.
Gyokeres would undoubtedly be their biggest loss, but Zenha insists that their Swedish star has years to walk his deal and their champion status will make it easier to warn potential buyers.
Zenha told reporters in Portugal: “He has three years on his contract. At the moment there are no offers, he has three years on his contract. I think the answer was given. [Sporting’s transfer plans] Will be no different than last year. We want to keep the best players and keep talent.
“We want to stay champion, have competitive teams and fight on all fronts. I have been in this role for seven years. In the years that sporting champions were, we have even made fewer sales than in other years … The fact that we are champions gives us a greater ability to retain players and talent.
“Coincidence or not, we didn't have to sell players at that time. Not that we have not received any offers, but the market is not under our control, we are always dependent.”
Arsenal has made their priority signing a striker this summer with Gyokeres at the top of their wish list. The Gunners have shown how willing they are to spend big to get top talent and will probably do this again in the coming months.
The Swede, formerly from Coventry City, had to tackle the constant speculation around his future and said at the weekend: “Let's take a look. It's hard for me to say, because yes, it's football and you never know what will happen in the summer. So to say something other than that is impossible.”