Viktor Gyokeres 'demands agent negotiate with one club ahead of everyone else' as Sporting transfer saga takes shock twist

Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly made a ‘request’ for his agent to speak to a particular club regarding a summer transfer.

Gyokeres, 26, has registered 48 goals and 12 assists in 47 appearances for Sporting CP this term, with his impressive showings attracting the interests of several top clubs around Europe.

In December, Portugal-based outlet A Bola claimed Gyokeres had a €100m (£83m) release clause in his contract, which would’ve been enough to sign him in the winter market.

However, the outlet later explained how Sporting are ‘open to negotiating a sale next summer’ for a reduced price of €70m (£58m) plus bonuses as a show of ‘gratitude’ to the Sweden international for staying for the duration of the campaign.

The forward has supposedly been attracting the attention of Premier League clubs such as Manchester United and Arsenal.

In early April, the Mail suggested that the player favours a move to the Gunners over the Red Devils, despite previously working with United head coach Ruben Amorim, as he wants to play Champions League football next term.

Arsenal will qualify for the Champions League but United will have to take an alternative route by winning the Europa League, as they currently sit 14th in the Premier League.

With a tremendous scoring record in Portugal and experience in Europe's premier club competition, former Coventry City striker Gyokeres will undoubtedly be an enticing target for Champions League teams outside England too.

Gyokeres scored six goals in seven appearances in the league phase for Sporting this season and is apparently eager to go again with the club that knows the Champions League better than anyone else.

While it's previously been reported that talks with striker-hunting Arsenal are underway and Chelsea are also believed to be in the mix, Defensa Central reports that Real Madrid are the Swede's first choice.

Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with several Premier League clubs (Image: Getty)

"Gyokeres’s agents have contacted [Real] Madrid over a possible transfer of the striker to the Santiago Bernabeu," says TEAMtalk citing the Defensa Central report.

Despite the contact and the player's obvious preference for Los Blancos, it appears to be a non-starter.

"According to Defensa Central, Madrid are not willing to sign Gyokeres from Sporting CP in the summer transfer window," continues TEAMtalk.

"While Madrid president Florentino Perez appreciates the attributes and quality of Gyokeres, he is not willing to spend €100million (£85.5m, $114m) on him."

The 15-time European champions are well stocked in the forward department and the investment required would likely be seen as unnecessary.

But the summer transfer window is approaching fast and time will tell.