Arsenal’s top striker target Viktor Gyokeres will face disciplinary action and potentially a “hefty fine”, Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas claimed last night.
The Swedish striker has been pushing for a move away from the Portuguese club this summer, after he scored an astonishing 54 goals in just 52 games in Primeira Liga last year.
Rumours of a reunion with former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim at Manchester United have quietened, with Gyokeres looking to secure Champions League football.
In recent weeks, Arsenal have emerged as a major contender for the 27-year-old’s signature, but the club are yet to meet Sporting’s £70million asking price - although the Swede is confident a deal for £59million could be agreed and it is believed there is a desire from all parties to get the deal done.
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are said to have already agreed personal terms with the striker
PA
The striker is already said to have agreed on personal terms with the Gunners.
Because of this, Gyokeres has informed his current employers he will not be returning to training in the pre-season, already missing the first week, promptly initiating a strong reaction from club president Varandas.
“We're calm. Everything can be solved with the closure of the market, a hefty fine and an apology to the group,” Varandas said.
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Sporting president Frederico Varandas says Viktor Gyokeres will be slapped with a 'hefty fine'
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“If they don't want to pay Viktor's fair market value, we'll be very comfortable with that for the next three years,” he continued, noting the striker’s current contract does not expire until 2028.
“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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Gyokeres has played in England before, but primarily in the Championship with Coventry, where he impressed Sporting enough to splash £20million on the forward.
He had previously been at Brighton during their current nine-year stay in the top flight, but failed to register a single league appearance.
Speaking earlier in the week ahead of a potential move, the Swedish international discussed his time in England and how returning to face former team-mates and coaches would feel like “revenge”.
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Viktor Gyokeres is oushing for a move to north London
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"It’s one of the biggest leagues in Europe,” Gyokeres said on the challenge of playing in the Premier League to L’Equipe. “I spent several years [in the Premier League with Brighton] without being able to play a single match.
“So, of course, it’s something I’d like to do. It would be great revenge!”
When discussing the possibility of a move to north London, the striker remained calm but somewhat cryptic: "That’s football, you never know. I don’t think about it; we’ll see what happens.
“If something happens, it will. The most important thing for me is to play for a club that really wants me."
If Arsenal accept Sporting’s demands, Gyokeres could join Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Noni Madueke, although the latter is yet to be confirmed, through the door at the Emirates, as Arteta looks to jump the final hurdle and cross the finish line with a Premier League trophy.