Sporting president releases Viktor Gyokeres statement and reveals 'new minimum price tag' for Arsenal and Man Utd target

Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has issued a punchy reminder to the clubs chasing striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Manchester United and Arsenal are among the clubs chasing the hotshot Swedish striker but the Portuguese side aren't willing to let him go without getting top dollar for one of European football's hottest properties.

The former Coventry City star joined the Lisbon club in 2023 and has scored an incredible 68 goals in 66 league matches, winning back to back titles and adding six Champions League goals and five Europa League goals to his tally for good measure.

Having parted with a reported €24 million for Gyokeres and owing a significant chunk of any incoming fee to Coventry in the shape of a sell-on clause, Varandas is emitting all the signals of a man who wants to get what his club is due.

According to one of Fabrizio Romano's many posts of the day on X, formerly Twitter, Varandas has set out his stall.

"I'm not going to say what the price is, the player knows what it is," Varandas said, as quoted by Romano.

"I can tell you that Viktor won't leave for €60m plus €10m. He won't. He just won't."

Reports throughout the summer have linked the prolific 27-year-old with a host of major European clubs and there's every chance Varandas' asking price is met with goals at a premium.

Gyokeres apparently harbours a dream of joining Real Madrid but more realistic talk of a switch to two Premier League giants in desperate need of a centre-forward is refusing to die down.

Ruben Amorim and Viktor Gyokeres (Image: Getty)

Arsenal have been credited with interest in Gyokeres and RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko in order to assuage one of their most well documented shortcomings.

Mikel Arteta had to turn to alternative options up front in 2024-25, forced to adapt by injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, neither of whom is really the Gunners' ideal striker even when fit.

Man Utd were timid in attacking areas. Neither Rasmus Hojlund nor Joshua Zirkzee has looked anything like the solution for Ruben Amorim, and while United have signed Matheus Cunha and are reportedly close to adding Bryan Mbeumo, reuniting Gyokeres with his former Sporting coach would be another big improvement.

Varandas will no doubt be waiting on their calls but it might take a few conversations before the parties reach an agreement on the club president's mysterious threshold.