It has emerged that a first concrete bid has been made for wantaway Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, according to a new report, with the offer being presented at a meeting in Spain on Wednesday.
The race to sign Gyokeres has been the biggest transfer story of the summer thus far.
A number of clubs are said to be interested in the Sweden international, including Juventus, Al-Qadsiah and new Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad, but it appears Manchester United and Arsenal are the favourites.
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Earlier this week, Fabrizio Romano claimed United had made “new contacts” over a possible deal for the former Brighton and Coventry striker, who played under Ruben Amorim at Sporting.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are also in the market for a new striker. Benjamin Sesko has been heavily linked with a move to North London, but it appears the Gunners are now stepping up their pursuit for Gyokeres.
A report from Portuguese publication Record claims Arsenal made a first concrete offer for the 27-year-old at a meeting in Menorca, Spain.
It is said the meeting on Wednesday involved Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, a lawyer from the Premier League club, and Sporting's general director of football Bernardo Palmeiro.
But according to A Bola, the offer presented to Sporting was rejected after it ended up being "slightly below" the €60 million + €10 million figure mentioned by Sporting president Frederico Varandas, who was insistent he would not leave for that amount.
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The report goes on to state that this meeting was just the first round of negotiations, and the Gunners "want to close this process with some urgency" as the likes of Manchester United continue to be linked.
Gyokeres, meanwhile, is at odds with the club's top brass, and feels as though they have gone back on their word in regards to a gentleman's agreement about their asking price.
The striker was under the impression that he would be able to €60 million plus €10 million but the club have taken a different view and will not sell him for that fee – leading to him reportedly getting ready to go on strike.
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Earlier this week, Sporting president Frederico Varandas claimed there had been no concrete offers for Gyokeres. He also said the Swede would not leave the club for £59 million.
"I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m plus €10m because I never promised that," he told A Bola. "To this day, Sporting has not had an offer for Gyokeres - neither today nor last season."
Varandas says Gyokeres’ agent sought assurances about an exit last summer.
"One of the agent's biggest concerns was whether we would demand the termination clause," added Varandas. "He wanted to guarantee certain things. And what was agreed? That Sporting would not demand a release clause now.
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"For one reason: he was going to be 27 years old and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for €100m or €90m."
Topics: Sporting CP, Viktor Gyokeres, Portugal, Premier League, Transfers
Jack Kenmare