Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has released an explosive statement about Viktor Gyokeres after he reportedly went on 'strike' amid intense transfer speculation.
Gyokeres enjoyed an ultra-prolific campaign last season, scoring an impressive 54 goals in 52 games across all competitions.
His performances in Portugal have alerted several clubs, including Ruben Amorim's Manchester United, who are thought to be interested in securing his services ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
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Rumours about the Swedish international's future has intensified, with a report suggesting he has gone on 'strike' to force a move away from Sporting this summer.
Portuguese outlet Record claim Gyokeres has told manager Rui Borges and other club officials that he will never play for the club or wear a Sporting jersey again in a bid to force them to sell him.
His frustration is said to have been caused by Sporting's inactivity in engineering his sale after coming to a gentleman's agreement over his departure last September.
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Varandas has now had his say on the matter as he accused Gyokeres of 'blackmail' in a stunning response.
"I tried to take three days off, I came back yesterday. I saw so much information and counter-information that it is only fair to come and explain the process," he said via Sebastiao Sousa-Pinto.
"It started last year, when the season ended and Sporting became national champions. During the transfer market we saw that he was going to stay because there was no offer. The agent spoke to us to add some clauses. Hugo Viana, as he always did, and very well, managed the relationship with the agents. This relational space is established with the sports director.
"One of the agent's biggest concerns was whether we would demand the termination clause. Hugo Viana 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.
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"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 if it will be 40, 60 or 80. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand R$100 million."
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The Sporting chief then claimed they have yet to receive any offers for their prized asset, revealing the terms that need to be met to green light Gyokeres' transfer.
"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," he added.
"I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has common sense and keeps its word.
"Gyokeres scored 63 goals and 10 assists. Fantastic performance. Certainly one of the best players to have ever stepped onto Portuguese turf. And Sporting will not demand the clause.
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"Now blackmail and insults, Sporting will not accept. One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept 60 million plus 10. As of today, Sporting has not received any proposal for Gyokeres."
The 27-year-old, who was on the books at Brighton before enjoying a stellar spell at Coventry City, emerged as one of Europe's most lethal forwards after his incredible 54-goal campaign last season.
It followed a superb first season in Portugal, where he netted 43 goals in 50 games under Amorim.
Topics: Football, Manchester United, Sporting CP, Viktor Gyokeres
Nasir Jabbar