The transfer saga ongoing between Sporting Lisbon and Viktor Gyokeres took a new twist on Saturday as the striker failed to show up to the team’s preseason training. The 27-year-old, his agent and the Portuguese champions have been at loggerheads over the transfer fee of the player, Softfootball reports.
The former Coventry striker and his representatives are angry with the club’s hierarchy, claiming that they failed to honour a gentleman’s agreement to allow him leave the club this summer for €60million with €10million add-ons.
However, in a strong reply monitored via Yahoo Sport, Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas denied that was such agreement and claimed he only told them during the meeting that he won’t sell the player for €100million. He said:
“I tried to take three days off, I came back yesterday. I saw so much information and counter-information that it is only fair to come and explain the process.
“It started last year, when the season ended and Sporting became national champions. During the transfer market we saw that he was going to stay because there was no offer. The agent spoke to us to add some clauses. [Sporting’s former sporting director] Hugo Viana, as he always did, and very well, managed the relationship with the agents.
“One of the agent’s biggest concerns was whether we would demand the termination clause. Hugo Viana negotiated with the agents over several meetings until the agent demanded the presence of the president. At this meeting, which included the president, the agent and Viana, Gyokeres was not present. He wanted to guarantee certain things.
“And what was agreed? That Sporting would not demand a release clause now. For one reason: he was going to be 27 years old and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for 100 or 90 million.
“With this game that the agent is playing, the situation is only getting worse. To date, Sporting have not had an offer for Viktor Gyokeres. Not today or last summer.
“In that same meeting, the agent wanted to anchor the exit to a value. I said this sentence: ‘It’s not worth us setting a value because I don’t know what will happen in a year’s time. I don’t know if it will be €40m, €60m or €80m. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand €100m.’
“From then on, I never spoke to the agent again, I never spoke to the player about departures or values. Now I see the agent in the press releasing information.
“I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has common sense and keeps its word.
“Gyokeres scored 63 goals and 10 assists. Fantastic performance. Certainly one of the best players to have ever stepped onto Portuguese turf. And even so, Sporting will not demand the release clause.
“They should know me better by now. Threats, blackmail and insults do not work with me. And I can guarantee one thing: Viktor will not leave for €60m plus €10m. I never promised this.
“With this game that the agent is playing, the situation is only getting worse. To date, Sporting have not had an offer for Viktor Gyokeres. Not today or last summer.
“Viktor Gyokeres is one of the best footballers in the history of Portuguese football, he is a fantastic professional, to date he has had zero offers and has a three-year contract.”
In a tweet shared by Deadline Day Live on X, it reported that despite Sporting Lisbon’s directive that he resumes preseason today, Gyokeres refused to show up because he believes his time in Portugal is over and he desperately wants a move to Premier League side, Arsenal ahead of next season.
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Viktor Gyokeres didn't turn up for Sporting pre-season training today.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 12, 2025
The rest of the squad left for the Algarve for a training camp in Lagos. Gyokeres is not with them.
He's now facing disciplinary proceedings from the club.
(Source: ABOLA) pic.twitter.com/VQLL5t3kZv
The report claimed that the rest of the Sporting Lisbon squad have traveled for their training camp in Lagos. Gyokeres is now likely to face disciplinary action from the club.
Softfootball had reported earlier that Gyokeres showed his admiration for Arsenal by praising the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel and William Saliba. If the transfer goes through, Gyokeres could soon be battling Gabriel and Saliba in training, while teaming up with Saka on the pitch.
Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 matches for Sporting Lisbon in all competitions since he arrived at the club from English championship side Coventry.
