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Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer truth - Man United stance, release clause, gentleman's agreement
Football | June 17, 2025 4:39 AM CST

Viktor Gyokeres has been the talk of the town this summer, following another stellar season at Sporting CP.

The 27-year-old striker's remarkable tally of 97 goals in two seasons for the Portuguese side is a testament to his prowess, .

However, they're not alone in their pursuit, with , and a move to the Saudi Pro League isn't off the table either.

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So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up and a potential transfer to the Premier League.

How much will Gyokeres cost?

Firstly, it's worth noting that Gyokeres' transfer could be straightforward for all parties involved. His contract with Sporting includes an £85m release clause, which, if met by any interested club, would leave Sporting powerless to prevent his departure.

However, the waters are muddied by the existence (or non-existence) of a 'gentleman's agreement'.

Where do Gyokeres and Sporting stand?

According to Gyokeres' representatives, Sporting had agreed to let the Swede go for approximately £51m upfront plus £8.5m in add-ons this summer. This was supposedly agreed as a token of appreciation for his contributions since joining the Lisbon outfit.

Sporting president Frederico Varandas has contested claims about Viktor Gyokeres' transfer value, asserting that he wouldn't let the striker go for a mere £60m. This stance was challenged in the Portuguese press, with Gyokeres' representatives insisting they have written proof of an agreement.

What has Gyokeres said?

Gyokeres himself has largely remained aloof from the transfer saga. When questioned during the season about his fondness for London, he simply expressed his preference for Lisbon.

Speculation intensified when Gyokeres removed any mention of Sporting from his Instagram bio, leading to suggestions of discontent. Yet, he soon posted a veiled message: "There is a lot of talks at the moment, most of it false. I will speak when the time is right."

It's uncertain if this was directed at Sporting or the media speculation surrounding his contentment at the club.

What have Sporting said?

The Sporting president later clarified his position on Gyokeres' release clause, acknowledging that while he won't enforce the clause, no specific fee had been agreed upon.

"It was agreed that Sporting would not demand the release clause at the end of the following season, especially because he was going to be 27," Varandas told Record. "Then, we knew Viktor's dream of going to a club where he could fight for the Champions League, and we have common sense.

"We guaranteed that we would not demand 100 million (£85m). In that meeting, the agent wanted to anchor the departure to a value, he spoke of 60 million (£51m), 70 million (£59.7m)... And I said: 'There's no point in setting a value,' because I don't know what will happen here in a year, if he gets injured, if he has a disappointing season..

"From then on, I never spoke to the agent again, I never spoke to the player about departures and values. Ten months have passed, and I see the agent in the press spouting information here and there, but Sporting has common sense, it keeps its word.

"The president of Sporting said that the club would not demand the clause and that we would adjust the value to Viktor's performance; he was one of the best players ever to step on the pitch in Portugal."

Where do Arsenal stand?

In Portugal, new developments surfaced on Sunday hinting that Arsenal had put a hold on their pursuit of Gyokeres. Reports suggested the Gunners were put off by Sporting's insistence on their £68m valuation.

Meanwhile, football.london understands that , with interest dating back to his spell at Coventry City in the Championship. , but, as it stands, an official offer hasn't been made.

Where do Man United stand?

Gyokeres enjoys a strong partnership with Ruben Amorim, and his performance at United has generated undeniable interest. However, the Manchester Evening News understands that , as United aim to complete that transfer before Tottenham can step in.

However, the Reds are now on the hunt for a new striker. Their search was initially delayed when Liam Delap opted for Chelsea over Liverpool.

Who else is interested in Gyokeres?

Adding to the complexity, Juventus are also showing interest in Gyokeres. The Turin-based club is eyeing him as a potential replacement for Dusan Vlahovic.

According to , Juventus are prepared to offer Gyokeres an annual salary of £11m if he agrees to join them. However, they would first need to sell Vlahovic before they could proceed with their pursuit of Gyokeres.

Where do the bookies stand?

With all that said, here's how bookmakers predict the situation will unfold, based on which club Gyokeres will be playing for by the start of September, which is when the transfer window closes.

  • Arsenal - 1/3
  • Manchester United - 7/2
  • Juventus and Chelsea - 12/1
  • Any Saudi Arabian team and Sporting Lisbon - 16/1


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