'Blackmail' - Sporting president breaks silence on Viktor Gyokeres dispute amid Manchester United interest

Sporting president Frederico Varandas has hit back at claims the Portuguese club promised Viktor Gyokeres he could leave for just €60 million in the summer transfer window. The 27-year-old is a target for Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus after an incredible season that saw him net 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions.

The Swedish striker has a €100m release clause in his current deal, though reports claimed a gentleman's agreement was in place that he could leave for around €60m plus €10m in bonus payments. It has since been suggested Sporting will not allow their star player to leave for such a low price this summer.

A report in Portugal claims Gyokeres is furious with the club for not honouring their alleged agreement and that the player won't return for the club's pre-season schedule unless a resolution can be found. It has even been claimed the player could interrupt his summer holiday in order to address the situation.

Sporting president breaks silence on transfer situation

Speaking on Wednesday, Sporting president Frederico Varandas hit back at claims the Portuguese club had reneged on their agreement with Viktor Gyokeres. "I tried to take three days off, came back yesterday. I saw so much information and misinformation that it’s only fair to come and explain the process.

“It starts last year, when the season ends and Sporting becomes national champion. During the transfer market, we saw that he would stay because there wasn’t any offer. The agent spoke with us, to add some clauses. Hugo Viana, as he always did, and very well, managed the relationship with the agents. That relational space is handled by the sporting director. One of the agent’s main concerns was whether we would demand the release clause. Hugo Viana was negotiating with the agents, over several meetings, until the agent demanded the presence of the president. In that meeting, where the president, the agent, and Viana were present, Gyökeres was not there, he wanted to ensure certain things.

“And what was agreed? That Sporting would not demand the release clause now. For one reason: he was turning 27, and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for 100 or 90 million. In that same meeting, the agent wanted to tie the departure to a value. I said this phrase: ‘There’s no point in setting a value because I don’t know what will happen in a year. I don’t know if it will be 40, 60, or 80. What I can guarantee is that I won’t demand 100 million euros.

“From that point on, I never spoke with the agent again, nor with the player about departures or values. Now I see the agent spreading information in the press. I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has common sense and keeps its word. Gyökeres scored 63 goals, 10 assists. Fantastic performance. Surely one of the best players to ever step on Portuguese pitches. And Sporting will not demand the clause. But blackmail, insults, Sporting will not tolerate. One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept 60 million plus 10. As of today, Sporting has not received any offer for Gyökeres."

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