Gyokeres decides on £11m-a-year contract offer amid Arsenal and Man Utd battle
Viktor Gyokeres has his heart set on a move to Arsenal and has rejected a huge £11m-per-year contract offer from Serie A side Juventus, according to reports from Italy
Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly decided to reject a lucrative contract offer from Juventus, with the striker preferring a move to Arsenal. Gyokeres is one of the most in-demand footballers in Europe right now, having fired Sporting Lisbon to the double last season.
The 27-year-old scored 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions as Sporting won the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal. Arsenal, Manchester United and Juventus have all been heavily linked with Gyokeres, but it appears the player has his heart set on a move to the Emirates.
It emerged earlier this month that Juventus were ready to offer Gyokeres a stunning £11m-per-year deal to try and persuade him to snub a Premier League move in favour of a switch to Serie A.
However, Corriere dello Sport are now reporting that Juventus have been informed that Gyokeres only wants to join Arsenal this summer. The news comes amid a public spat between Gyokeres' agent and Sporting over a supposed 'gentleman's agreement'.
Gyokeres has an £85million release clause, but his agent has claimed he reached an agreement with the club last season that they would accept bids in the region of £60m. However, Sporting president Frederico Varandas has insisted that is not the case.
"One thing you should already know is me better," said Varandas, per Record. "Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me. I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m+10m (£51m+£8.5m) because I never promised him that.
"This game that the agent is playing only makes the situation worse. To this day, Sporting has not had an offer for Viktor Gyokeres, neither today nor last season. I think it's fair to explain the whole process.
"The process started last year when the season ended, Sporting were champions and had a fantastic season. During the transfer window we realised that Viktor was going to stay at Sporting because we didn't receive a single offer for him.
"When the season started, the agent approached Hugo Viana several times, asking if we could add an extra fee to the contract if he scored 'x' goals; I gave Viana the opportunity to negotiate, within reason.
"Viana manages the relationship with the agents, and very well, this is done by the sporting director. One of the agent's biggest concerns was whether we would demand the value of the €100m (£85m) clause next year.
"Viana negotiated with the agents over several meetings, until the agent himself asked for the president's presence to settle the matter once and for all. The issue of the bonus for 'x' goals seemed reasonable and at that meeting, where the president, the agent and Viana were present, no player was present, Viktor was not present, the agent wanted to guarantee certain things."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Alexander Isak's two-word admission puts Arsenal in transfer driving seat
Alexander Isak has already made his feelings clear about Martin Odegaard as Arsenal aim to fend off Premier League champions Liverpool and finally sign the Newcastle striker Alexander Isak's two-word comment about Martin Odegaard could give Arsenal the edge as they continue their long pursuit of the Newcastle forward. The Gunners have been linked with the Swedish striker for years, even before his £63million move to the Magpies from Real Sociedad in 2022. Odegaard, who was on loan from Real Madrid, and Isak were team-mates at Sociedad during the 2019/20 season. The pair struck up a strong relationship on and off the pitch, with Isak even branding Odegaard his 'best friend' in the team. Speaking during their season together, Isak said: 'We have a very good contact and thrive well together. He is natural that he will be my best friend on the team. He was well known as a cult to have him on the same.' The Gunners will hope that bond remains as they look to finally get a deal over the line for their long-term target. That is not a formality, with Liverpool entering the race to sign the striker, who scored 23 Premier League goals in 2024/25. The English champions have already spent big in the transfer market this summer, signing right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen for around £30million. Meanwhile, playmaker Florian Wirtz has arrived in the city to complete his club record move worth up to £116.5m. Signing Isak, whose Newcastle contract has three years left to run, would be a real statement of intent to the rest of the Premier League. The man himself, however, has already suggested that he would fit into the Reds' system under Arne Slot. Speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup final between the sides, Isak said: 'I really enjoy the games against Liverpool, because I think they're not too different to ourselves, a high-pressing team and a direct team, which can lead to many counter-opportunities, and that's the game I like." Newcastle, of course, will be desperate to keep their star striker as they prepare for their return to the Champions League. Addressing the speculation over his future in March, Isak was non-committal, saying: 'I think this club can achieve great things. We should look at one season at a time and this season we can achieve winning a trophy, which would be amazing for everyone. "My future is nothing really I think about. I've said many times doing a season I just focus on the job, now is probably the worst time to think about anything else.' However, Arsenal will hope the prospect of rekindling his relationship with captain Odegaard will sway Isak's big decision in their favour. A deal for Benjamin Seskso or Viktor Gyokeres, however, looks much more likely at this stage. A new number nine is seen as critical as Arsenal look to go from 'nearly men' to winners following three successive runner-up finishes in the Premier League. Club great Thierry Henry made his feelings last clear recently, telling the Stick to Football podcast:"Everyone has been screaming for a nine, apart from when we win, by the way. When we beat Real Madrid, we didn't need a nine. No, you do need a nine.'
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Alexander Isak and Liverpool rumours: What's really going on at Newcastle
It was always going to happen at some point this summer: the stories claiming Alexander Isak could be on the move. The sudden explosion of noise suggesting the Sweden international is on his way to Liverpool has, even by modern standards, been intense over the last 48 hours. What starts out as a rumour rapidly gains traction and spreads like a virus. It is talked and typed about incessantly. Liverpool are interested. Liverpool are going to make their move. A stunning world-record bid. Isak is keen on the switch. His agent is already thrashing out personal terms. Isak has spoken to his future team-mates, he has spoken to Arne Slot. Contact has been made, talks have been going on in private, Newcastle are powerless, the player will demand to leave... Before you know it, we find ourselves in a situation where, if you believe the rumours, Isak is on his way to Liverpool and the Premier League title is heading back to Anfield in 2026. The reality is rather different. Newcastle United supporters can barely scroll anywhere on social media without seeing someone claiming Isak is Liverpool-bound. They can probably relax: Telegraph Sport has spoken to sources at both ends of this transfer story and the truth is, nothing has changed and nothing is imminent. Do Liverpool like Isak? Yes, of course they do. Would they love to have him in their team? They would be stupid not to. Do they expect to be able to sign him this summer? Almost certainly not. According to multiple sources at Newcastle, there has been no contact with Liverpool about Isak. There have been no formal or even informal discussions. There has not been an inquiry. Given Newcastle manager Eddie Howe knows Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes and chief executive Michael Edwards extremely well, it is reasonable to assume they would have had at least a conversation to assess the landscape. In turn, Newcastle's stance has not changed. It would take a bid, well in excess of £150 million, for Newcastle to even start a negotiation with an interested party. The key part of that sentence is 'well in excess.' We are not just talking about a new British record transfer fee, we are looking at something approaching the £200 million world record Paris St-Germain paid to sign Neymar from Barcelona. Newcastle do not want to sell, they do not need to sell and they will, as far as they are concerned, not be selling. Those who are desperate for this deal to happen will argue: 'But what if the player wants to leave? The players always get what they want'. They make a valid point, but when that player has three years left on their contract, the club still holds a lot of the cards. Newcastle can dig in and resist. And they will do. Isak settled on Tyneside Isak has not said he wants to leave, he has never agitated to do so or given any indication, even to team-mates, that he wishes to depart. Things can always change in this respect but those who know Isak do not expect him to suddenly demand an exit. That is not the same thing as saying he wants to stay at Newcastle for the rest of his career. It does not even mean he will sign the contract extension he will be offered later this summer. But in terms of a transfer in this window, the chances of it happening are extremely remote. If Isak does not sign a new deal, it could well be a different situation in 12 months' time when they will be conscious of maximising any fee they can receive, but for now, there is no stress or concern. Even if they do get into a position where they have to consider a sale, the likelihood is they will negotiate with teams abroad rather than any domestic rival. If Liverpool can sell Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz in the weeks ahead, maybe they will free up the funds to test Newcastle's resolve with an actual bid, but that resolve will not be easily broken. The message has been clear for months. Isak is not for sale and Newcastle are not under any pressure from a profit and sustainability rules (PSR) perspective to sell anyone. The intention from Newcastle's side is to keep hold of their entire blue-chip brigade and add quality to it. That is proving harder than they thought. Some of their top targets, Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi, look like they are going elsewhere. Liam Delap decided to sign for Chelsea. A move for Brighton's Joao Pedro has been made but there are fears the forward would prefer to live in London and is waiting for Chelsea to firm up their interest rather than commit to Newcastle at this early stage of the summer. Interest in Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga remains ongoing but there does not appear to be anything more concrete than that. This is all cause for concern. Frustration on Tyneside is growing at the lack of progress being made. The speed and dynamism in the market that Howe called for has not manifested, but work is still being done. Not every target has been lost and not every name is in the public domain. In terms of Isak, though. there is less reason for anyone to be agitated. Everyone in football said Newcastle would not sell him back in May and nothing has changed in June.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Man City star disagrees with Chelsea rival and makes Club World Cup demand
Manchester City star Nathan Ake and Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia have given their thoughts on the individual pre-match walkouts that FIFA have introduced for the Club World Cup Manchester City's Nathan Ake has disagreed with Chelsea star Romeo Lavia over the Club World Cup's use of individual pre-match walkouts. FIFA's newly revamped tournament has made player introductions a big thing, with each one taking it in turns to walk out in front of the crowd ahead of games. And it seems as though the walkouts have received a mixed reaction from the players themselves, with Ake and Lavia delivering different verdicts on the concept when asked if the Premier League should embrace it. "I'm not sure," Ake said after City beat Moroccan side Wydad AC 2-0 in their Club World Cup opener. "To be honest, the Premier League, keep it how it is and what we do now. I think, keep it as it is." However, Lavia believes the walkouts were "something special" and has suggested the Premier League should introduce something similar. "It's something special and new for us," the Chelsea midfielder said. "It's a first for us. I enjoyed it. Why not bring it to the Premier League? I mean, it's a bit of a showbiz thing, isn't it? I quite like it. The only difference is if we did it in the Premier League, we might get a bit cold! "Because once you're out there, you have to wait for maybe the other players. But apart from that, it was good. I guess we always learn new things from international tournaments and that's what makes it special. "Even before arriving here, we understood how big this competition was. It's great to see. We've watched some of the other Club World Cup games on TV as well. We're happy to be here. "They are all great games and at a good level. And I think every team has got different qualities because they're coming from a different environment. So it's nice to watch because you don't get to see all these teams often." Chelsea also won their tournament opener, beating LAFC 2-0 in Atlanta, and they are now set to take on Flamengo in Philadelphia on Friday. And Blues boss Enzo Maresca is expecting Flamengo to provide a tough test. "They are a very good team, they play nice football and they have many good players," Maresca said. "Their manager is a former player, who played for many years in Europe, so I know him. They are well organised and, like any Brazilian team, full of very good players."
