Sporting president denies Gyokeres transfer agreement | OneFootball

Sporting president Frederico Varandas has denied that the club have an agreement to sell Viktor Gyokeres for €70m (£59.3m) this summer.

Gyokeres has been linked with top clubs across Europe following two prolifc campaigns in Portuguese football. The Swedish striker has scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting, ending successive campaigns as the Primeira Liga’s leading scorer.

His goals have fired Sporting to consecutive titles and clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have enquired into his availability.

It was believed that Sporting had reached a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Gyokeres to let him leave for €70m this summer, significantly less than the player’s €100m release clause at The Estádio José Alvalade

Sporting president Varandas has now denied that an exit fee has been agreed, insisting he can’guarantee’ that the 27-year-old does not leave for €70m.

“I tried to take three days off, I came back yesterday,” he said, as reported by Portuguese journalist Sebastiao Sousa-Pinto. “I saw so much information and counter-information that it is only fair to come and explain the process.

“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. [Sporting’s former sporting director] Hugo Viana, as he always did, and very well, managed the relationship with the agents.

“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.

“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.

“With this game that the agent is playing, the situation is only getting worse. To date, Sporting have not had an offer for Viktor Gyokeres. Not today or last summer

“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 €40m, €60m or €80m. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand €100m.’

“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.

“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 even so, Sporting will not demand the release clause.

“They should know me better by now. Threats, blackmail and insults do not work with me. And I can guarantee one thing: Viktor will not leave for €60m plus €10m. I never promised this.

“With this game that the agent is playing, the situation is only getting worse. To date, Sporting have not had an offer for Viktor Gyokeres. Not today or last summer.

“Viktor Gyokeres is one of the best footballers in the history of Portuguese football, he is a fantastic professional, to date he has had zero offers and has a three-year contract.”

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