Viktor Gyokeres is looking to leave the Portuguese champions this summer after scoring more than 50 times and Manchester United – as well as Arsenal – are both keeping tabs on his availability
Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas has aimed a subtle dig at Manchester United’s signing of Matheus Cunha – and their pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo – while addressing Viktor Gyokeres’ possible departure.
The Swede is looking to leave the Portuguese champions this summer after scoring more than 50 times and the Manchester outfit – as well as Arsenal – are both keeping tabs on his availability.
The biggest stumbling block to Gyokeres’ departure is Sporting’s willingness to let him depart and how much they will ultimately demand before deciding to let him leave for pastures new. United have already spent £62.5million to land Cunha – their only summer signing.
Brentford have rejected the same fee as they look to keep hold off Mbuemo, who is also on United’s radar. Sporting have used those two figures as a reference point when it comes to the demands they make for their leading light.
He said: “We have been watching the market and I saw [Martin] Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, leave for €65million. I saw Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both forwards but who, in my opinion, do not have Viktor’s market value or quality, being negotiated for around €75million.
READ MORE: Sporting Lisbon chief reveals Viktor Gyokeres discount in boost to Arsenal and Man UtdREAD MORE: Third Viktor Gyokeres boost for Man Utd as striker ‘gets listed for £25.6m’
“Given the demands we consider fair, I believe Viktor could leave – unless he has the worst agent in the world, which is hard for me to believe, because he is one of the best footballers in the world.”
The president has also knocked back suggestions that there was a gentleman’s agreement in place which allowed Gyokeres, who has scored 97 times in 102 games in Lisbon, to leave for less than his release clause.
Varandas refused to confirm the exact figure he expects but made it clear they will not accept a cut-price deal for the ex-Coventry City frontman.
He said: “The player knows, the agent knows, and I can guarantee, with absolute certainty, that Viktor will not leave for €60million plus €10million in add-ons. It’s not about trying to gain something, it’s that he simply will not leave for that – absolutely will not.”
United were able to land Cunha due to a release clause in his contract but their pursuit of Mbeumo, and potentially Gyokeres, has seen clubs demand huge fees and drag out negotiations in an effort to maximise their profits.
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