Viktor Gyokeres’ proposed transfer to Arsenal has taken yet another twist with reports claiming a bombshell phone call has been leaked.
Gyokeres, 27, is currently one of the most in-demand forwards in world football, having scored 54 goals in 52 appearances for Sporting CP in 2024/25.
The likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Al Hilal, and Manchester United have all shown interest in the Sweden international, but it has been widely reported that Arsenal seems his most likely destination, with talkSPORT’s Alex Crook claiming that the player has told his friends and family that he wants to join the Gunners.
On Tuesday, Portuguese outlet Record, relayed by Sport Witness, released a shock report claiming that Gyokeres has made a phone call to Sporting’s sporting director Frederico Varandas stating his intention to leave the club for Arsenal this summer and explained how he’d given everything for the club.
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“He does not want and will not (of his own free will) return to Alvalade, having appealed to the president to understand the importance of the moment,” the Portuguese outlet claims.
Record added: “If Arsenal sign another striker in the meantime and discard the Nordic player, Gyökeres will never forgive those responsible for this.”
It has previously been suggested that Gyokeres could leave for a fee of £60m plus add-ons of £10m, but Varandas rubbished talks of this in a bombshell statement earlier this month.
“One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept 60 million plus 10,” Varandas claimed.
“As of today, Sporting has not received any proposal for Gyokeres."
Gyokeres’ current contract is set to run until June 2028.
Viktor Gyokeres 'could go on strike'
Journalist Duncan Castles even claimed that Gyokeres could go on strike.
“People will asking why Gyokeres is so upset,” Castles said on The Transfer Podcast.
He added: “[A clause was inserted in his contract] if an offer of €60m [was put] to Sporting [and] they refuse to sell, then Sporting have to pay a penalty of €6m to Gyokeres… that is obviously an element in this conflict."
Castles continued: “If they want to call Gyokeres’ bluff on his decision, he’s going to go on strike if they don’t let him leave this summer.”
Topics: Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal, Transfer News, Football, Premier League, Sporting CP
Luke Davies