Viktor Gyokeres breaks silence with telling message after Sporting star accused of 'blackmail' and 'going on strike'

Viktor Gyokeres has broken his silence after reports claimed that he has refused to play for Sporting Lisbon again.

The 27-year-old has been linked with a host of European giants after smashing in 54 goals in all competitions this season for Sporting.

Six of those goals were in the Champions League, including a stunning hat-trick against Manchester City in the league phase.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are among the clubs believed to be interested in signing the former Coventry and Brighton striker.

According to Portuguese outlet Record, Arsenal became the first club to submit an official bid for Gyokeres, worth €60 million including add-ons, at a meeting on Wednesday.

Now, Gyokeres has responded to media speculation surrounding his Sporting future with a telling message.

The latest update to his Instagram story simply reads: "There is a lot of talks at the moment, most of it is false.

"I will speak when the time is right."

Image: Instagram/Viktor Gyokeres

Earlier this week, Sporting president Frederico Varandas accused Gyokeres’ camp of ‘blackmail’ surrounding negotiations over a summer exit.

Record claimed that Gyokeres had become frustrated over Sporting’s lack of willingness to sell him, despite the two parties coming to a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ in September.

The same outlet sensationally added that the Swede had told Sporting bosses that he would never play for the club again, potentially putting the club in a difficult position.

That prompted a furious response from club president Varandas, who told journalist Sebastiao Sousa-Pinto: “One of the [Gyokeres’] agent’s biggest concerns was whether we would demand the termination clause.

“Hugo Viana [then sporting director of the club] negotiated with the agents over several meetings until the agent demanded the presence of the president.

“At this meeting, which included the president, the agent and Viana, Gyokeres was not present. He wanted to guarantee certain things.

“And what was agreed? That Sporting would not demand a release clause now. For one reason: he was going to be 27 years old and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for 100 or 90 million.

“In that same meeting, the agent wanted to anchor the exit to a value. I said this sentence: ‘It’s not worth us setting a value because I don’t know what will happen in a year’s time. I don’t know whether it will be 40, 60 or 80. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand R$100 million.

“From then on, I never spoke to the agent again, I never spoke to the player about departures or values. Now I see the agent in the press releasing information.”

“Blackmail and insults,” he continued. “Sporting will no accept. One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept €60 million plus 10. As of today, Sporting has not received any proposal for Gyokeres.”