Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer 'guarantee' revealed as secret Sporting messages exchanged

Viktor Gyokeres has confronted the Sporting Clube de Portugal president following comments about his future. The 27-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal for a while now as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his attacking options.

Gyokeres, who sees his contract at the Jose Alvalade Stadium expire in June 2028, featured 33 times in the Primeira Liga this season, scoring 39 goals and providing eight assists. Playing a key role in Rui Borges' team, he fired the Lions to their second successive title.

The Sweden international also helped Sporting win the Taça de Portugal, netting a late equaliser in a 3-1 win over Benfica. His impressive performances haven't gone unnoticed, with Arsenal and Manchester United said to be chasing his signature.

football.london understands the Gunners are long admirers of Gyokeres, with interest dating back to his spell at Coventry City in the Championship. Andrea Berta is thought to be a 'big fan', but, as things stand, Arsenal are yet to submit an official offer.

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Arsenal's new 2025/26 kit
Arsenal's 2025/26 home kit

Arsenal has launched the new home kit for the 2025/26 season, featuring a nod to the Gunners' classic 1990/91 league-winning home shirt.

from £60

Fanatics
Get the kit here

Gyokeres 'heartbroken' by Sporting

Last week, Fabrizio Romano reported that Gyokeres has no intention of playing for Sporting again. The journalist claimed that the Swede, who's not expected to return to training, was left 'heartbroken' by the club's decision to overlook an 'exit pact' that was agreed last year.

Sporting president provides Gyokeres update

In an interview with Portuguese newspaper O Jogo on Sunday, the Sporting president provided an update on the situation. Frederico Varandas said: "Firstly, Sporting is very calm about the Viktor Gyokeres case.

"Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyokeres. Fortunately, Sporting has gone through the phase where it always had to sell its main asset. We do not have to do this, but we are still sensitive to the dreams of Viktor or any other player of ours.

"Sporting has a commitment, on my word, that after weeks of meetings, it will not ask for the value of the clause and will be reasonable in relation to the value requested for Viktor."

Premier League clubs inflate Gyokeres' price tag

Noting business elsewhere in the Premier League, the Sporting chief added: "Today I think there is a strong probability that he will leave. In these last few weeks of the market, we have been attentive, and I saw a player, [Martin] Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, leave for 65 million euros.

"I saw Matheus Cunha and [Bryan] Mbeumo, both forwards, but who do not have Viktor's market value or his quality, in my opinion, and are being negotiated for values in the order of 75 million euros.

"We are talking about players with 26 years old. Given the demands that we consider to be fair value, I believe that Viktor can leave, unless he has the worst agent in the world, which I find hard to believe, because he is one of the best footballers in the world."

Sporting chief makes Gyokeres guarantee

On Gyokeres' price tag, Varandas 'guaranteed' that Sporting won't accept €70m (£60m). The Sporting president said: "I won't say what the amount is, it was communicated to the agent, the player knows.

"I can guarantee, with absolute certainty, that Viktor will not leave for 60+10 million euros. It's not about wanting to earn something, it's just that he won't leave, absolutely not."

Gyokeres 'confronts' Sporting president

Gyokeres has since confronted Varandas about his comments, according to Portuguese outlet Record. The report claims that the Arsenal and United target has exchanged messages with the Sporting president to express his frustration.

Join the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel

Join our Arsenal WhatsApp channel and get all the latest breaking news, opinion, podcasts and in-depth stories from football.london's dedicated Arsenal writers straight to your phone!

By following this free service you will be the first to know the news from the Emirates Stadium as it happens, when it happens.

To join our dedicated Arsenal channel, all you have to do is click this link and you can join thousands of others following our Gunners coverage!

If you're curious, you can check out our privacy policy here.