SPORTING PRESIDENT RIPS INTO WANTAWAY VIKTOR GYOKERES AND PROMISES DISCIPLINARY ACTION - AS £70M ARSENAL TARGET GOES ON STRIKE

Sporting Clube president Frederico Varandas has confirmed that Viktor Gyokeres will face disciplinary action after going on strike amid strong interest from Arsenal.

Gyokeres, 27, failed to report for the club's pre-season training this week, despite Sporting having granted him an extended summer break until Saturday, July 12. 

That patience has now run out, with Varandas vowing to hand the in-demand striker a 'hefty fine.

Sporting's president confirmed that Viktor Gyokeres will face a 'hefty fine' for going on strike

Gyokeres is thought to have agreed pre-contract terms with Arsenal, with the only remaining stumbling block in the way of a move to north London being his transfer fee.

The Gunners are yet to meet Sporting's firm £69m valuation - but Varandas' recent comments show that there are no signs of desperation from the Portuguese club.

'We're calm. Everything can be solved with the closure of the market, a hefty fine and an apology to the group,' he told Portuguese news agency Lusa.

Gyokeres failed to report for the club's pre-season training this week as he seeks a move away

'If they don't want to pay Viktor's fair market value, we'll be very comfortable with that for the next three years.

'If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to make it easier for him to leave, not only are they completely wrong, but they are also making it more complicated for the player to leave.

'No one is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are.'

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Arsenal have agreed pre-contract terms with the striker but must cough up £70m to sign him

Gyokeres scored a staggering 54 goals for Sporting last term across all competitions, and is rated as one of the most prolific forwards in Europe.

The former Coventry City and Brighton striker currently has three years still remaining on his contract with the Portuguese giants, though it appears unlikely in the extreme that he will be seeing out those terms as things stand.

Since making a £20m switch from Coventry to Sporting in 2023, Gyokeres has gone on a remarkable scoring spree in Portugal, netting 97 times in just 102 appearances across two seasons. 

The Swedish international scored 54 goals for Sporting across all competitions last season

Gyokeres scored 43 goals for Coventry in his two and a half seasons, but never got to suit up in the Premier League for Brighton.

He has previously spoken of his desire to return to the English top flight, to get revenge for his empty spell with the Seagulls.

'It's one of the biggest leagues in Europe,' Gyokeres said. 'I spent several years there without being able to play a single match.

'So, of course, it's something I would like to do. It would be a great revenge.' 

As reported by Mail Sport, Mikel Arteta had been keen to sign a new striker before his squad jets out to Singapore on July 19 to begin their tour of Asia.

But as it stands, Sporting seemingly hold all the cards and are more than happy to keep the Gunners waiting.

- YASEEN ZAMAN

FURIOUS VIKTOR GYOKERES 'TELLS SPORTING LISBON HE WILL NOT RETURN FOR ORE-SEASON TRAINING' AMID UGLY TRANSFER SAGA AS ARSENAL AND MAN UTD TARGET ISSUES FINAL THREAT

 

Gyokeres' price tag has proven to be a major stumbling block in wrapping up a summer move

• Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly called Sporting's director to demand a transfer

• The 27-year-old striker has been heavily linked with Arsenal and Man United

• LISTEN to Whistleblowers: Are Arsenal fans right to think they've been aggrieved by the fixtures?

Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly called Sporting Lisbon's president Frederico Varandas to demand a move as the Swedish striker looks to force a summer transfer. 

The 27-year-old is one of Europe's most in-demand forwards after netting 54 times in 52 appearances for Sporting last season and has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal or Manchester United. 

The Swede is believed to prefer a move to Arsenal, who have Champions League football to look forward to next season, instead of reuniting with Ruben Amorim at United.

However, his price-tag has proved to be a major stumbling block for any deal.

It is understood that Gyokeres believes he reached a gentleman's agreement with Sporting last summer that would see the Portuguese side accept accept a fee in the region of €70m (£60m) including add-ons at the end of the season.

But Sporting are now trying to hold out for a significantly higher fee - with Gyokeres having a €100m (£84m) release clause in his contract. 

While Gyokeres has pushed for a move, Varandas accused his team of attempting to 'blackmail' Sporting, while he reportedly threatened to go on strike after vowing to 'speak at the right time'.

The Swedish striker, 27, is said to prefer a move to Arsenal rather than reuniting with Amorim

Now Gyokeres has made his thoughts clear to Varandas in a phone call, where he told him he wants to join Arsenal and should be allowed to after giving everything for the club,' according to Portuguese outlet Record.

The Swede will refuse to return to Lisbon, having appealed to the president to understand the importance of the moment, and will 'never forgive those responsible' if a move to Arsenal breaks down,' the bombshell report claims.

Sporting President Frederico Varandas previously accused him of trying to 'blackmail' the club

The striker is also said to have emphasised a £60m transfer would provide significant profit on the £20m they signed him from Coventry for just two years ago. 

Earlier this month, Varandas claimed that Sporting will not demand £84m for Gyokeres but allowing him to depart for £60m is also off the table as a war of words broke out.

'Sporting will not demand the release clause, but they should know me better by now,' Varandas said. 'Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me.

'I can guarantee one thing: Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m + €10m. He won't leave because I never allowed it, and the game his agent is playing will only make the situation worse.'

He is one of Europe's most in-demand forwards after netting 54 times in 52 games last season

Varandas has denied a gentleman's agreement was ever in place as the transfer saga continues to turn ugly.

The Swede has scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting since joining from Coventry.

As well as Arsenal and United, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Al-Hilal have also been linked with his signature.  

- ADAM POGRUND