Sporting president sends brutal threat to Viktor Gyokeres in new statement as Arsenal target fails to return to training

Sporting Clube de Portugal president Frederico Varandas has issued a strong statement on Viktor Gyokeres.

Gyokeres, 27, has been heavily linked with a move away from Sporting over the last few weeks.

The likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been previously linked with the Swedish international.

However, it has been reported that Gyokeres is favouring a move to Arsenal and has 'refused' to return to Sporting's pre-season training, which started this week.

On Saturday evening, it was claimed that Sporting president Varandas had issued a strongly worded statement.

The statement revealed that Gyokeres could be set for a 'heavy fine' and will have to issue 'an apology to the group'.

As reported by journalist Ben Jacobs, who wrote on social media: "Sporting president Frederico Varandas issues a strong statement to Agencia Lusa after Gyökeres did not report back to training, as expected.

"We're calm. Everything can be solved with the closure of the market, a heavy fine and an apology to the group.

"If they [Arsenal] don't want to pay Viktor’s fair market value, we'll be very comfortable with that for the next three years."

Viktor Gyokeres is looking to leave Sporting Clube de Portugal. Image: Getty

He added: "If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to make it easier for him to leave, not only are they completely wrong, but they are also making it more complicated for the player to leave.

"No one is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are."

What has Viktor Gyokeres said about his future?

In a surprise interview, the forward said to France Football: "It’s football, you never know. I’m not thinking about it, we’ll see what happens.

"If something is going to happen, it will happen. The most important thing for me is to play for a club that really wants me."

Gyokeres added: "Premier League? I spent several years there without being able to play a single match. So, of course, it's something I'd like to do.

"It would be great revenge!"