Topics: Viktor Gyokeres, Manchester United, Arsenal, Transfer News, Football, Premier League, Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Portugal
Viktor Gyokeres' decision to go on strike at Sporting has highlighted a major transfer concern ahead of a potential Premier League switch to Manchester United or Arsenal.
The 27-year-old Swedish international has been heavily linked with a move away from Sporting after another impressive season in the Portuguese top flight.
The forward's 39 goals in 31 league starts has alerted Manchester United and Arsenal, who are both interested in a striker.
Although Gyokeres has a €100 million release clause in his contract, reports suggested Sporting had given him assurances that he would be allowed to leave for €60 million plus €10 million in add-ons.
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But Sporting's president Frederico Varandas publicly denied that there is a gentlemen's agreement in place.
In response, Gyokeres has reportedly gone on strike, telling club officials that he will never play for the side again. according to the Portuguese newspaper Record.
It remains to be seen what will happen to the Swede when the transfer window re-opens on 16 June, but Gyokeres looks to have severed his ties with Sporting.
Gyokeres claims he had an informal understanding with the Sporting hierarchy that he would be allowed to leave for a combined fee of $70 million this summer.
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This is a sharp contrast to the situation with Matheus Cunha, who had a formal £62.5 million release clause in his contract at Wolves.
Once Manchester United triggered it, the Midlands club were powerless to stop his move to Old Trafford.
However Arsenal have found this summer to be frustrating, with the lack of release clauses complicating their moves for attacking players.
Benjamin Sesko remains a key target for the Gunners, who targeted him last summer when he had a £55 million release clause.
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But he opted to sign a new deal at RB Leipzig, which led to the clause being removed.
And the German side are now estimated to want around £80 million for the Slovenian.
Although Gyokeres does have a release clause, the $100 million sum is likely to put off potential suitors.
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This prompted a debate on X, with Dan Critchlow critical of the contracts both forwards have signed at their current clubs.
He wrote: "To all professional footballers and their agents: Stop making verbal agreements.
"Cunha got a release clause down on paper, and he's already a Manchester United player.
"Sesko and Gyokeres had gentleman's agreements, and neither of them have the move they want (yet).
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He was backed up by others on the social media platform.
@SibsMUFC added: "There’s at least one example of this a season. When will people learn word means nothing unless a contract is signed."