Sporting has received their first official offer for Viktor Gyökeres, adding a new twist to the transfer saga involving Arsenal and Manchester United as potential suitors.
The Premier League club has submitted a formal offer for Gyökeres.
A report has indicated that a formal bid for Viktor Gyökeres, the Sporting CP striker seeking a transfer, was made during a meeting in Spain on Wednesday. This marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing transfer saga, with several European clubs, including Manchester United and Arsenal, showing interest in the Swedish player.
Fabrizio Romano mentioned that Manchester United has engaged in new discussions about a potential deal for Gyökeres, who previously played under Ruben Amorim at Sporting. Arsenal is also searching for a new striker and seems to be ramping up their efforts to acquire Gyökeres, despite earlier ties to Benjamin Sesko.
According to the Portuguese outlet Record, Arsenal presented their initial offer for the 27-year-old in Menorca, involving Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta, a club lawyer, and Sporting’s general director of football, Bernardo Palmeiro. However, A Bola reported that the bid was turned down as it was “slightly below” the €60 million plus €10 million figure set by Sporting president Frederico Varandas, who insisted that Gyökeres would not be sold for that price.
The report also noted that this meeting was just the start of negotiations, with Arsenal eager to move quickly amid ongoing interest from Manchester United. Gyökeres is currently at odds with Sporting’s management, feeling that they have not honored a previous gentleman’s agreement regarding his asking price. He had the impression he could leave for €60 million plus €10 million, but the club’s position has changed, leading him to consider going on strike.
Earlier this week, Varandas stated that no concrete offers for Gyökeres had been received and reaffirmed that he would not leave for £59 million. He said, “I can guarantee that Viktor Gyökeres will not leave for €60m plus €10m because I never promised that.” He also mentioned that last summer, Gyökeres’ agent sought assurances regarding an exit, and it was agreed that Sporting would not pursue a release clause, citing the player’s age and market conditions.
