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Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Sweden boss flatly rejects Gyokeres transfer claims amid ongoing Arsenal talks
Viktor Gyokeres has been forced to withdraw from Sweden's squad for this week's international break through injury as speculation mounts over his future at Sporting Lisbon Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has denied that Viktor Gyokeres has left the national team squad to avoid injury amid a potential move to Arsenal. Gyokeres is one of the hottest properties on the market this summer. The striker has scored a ridiculous 97 goals in 102 games across two years with Sporting Lisbon, winning successive Primeira Liga titles. His contract runs until the summer of 2028 but it appears increasingly likely he will leave the Estádio José Alvalade. Arsenal are among the clubs chasing his signature as they search for a new striker. They have opened talks with the Portuguese giants over a potential deal, though first comes an international break. Sweden will face Hungary and Algeria in friendlies across the next week, with the Scandanavians not starting their World Cup qualification campaign until September. Even so, the two friendlies are a good chance for Tomasson to assess his squad. Gyokeres had been included in the original 24-man group for the games in Budapest and Stockholm. But on Tuesday it was announced that the 27-year-old would be leaving the group early. That sparked rumours that Gyokeres may have pulled out in order to protect himself from picking up an injury which could potentially scupper a big summer move. But that talk has now been rubbished by Tomasson. "No! He felt a small injury and our medical team was already aware of it and we decided, together, to release him," Tomasson said. "I spoke to Viktor last week. He hasn't trained much in the last few weeks and was feeling some discomfort because of a small injury. "I was happy to see him and have him with us in this training camp. It says a lot about Viktor, how much he wants to get involved. We're thinking about it [a replacement] and need to talk more about it. In a perfect world, we have all players available." The Swedish FA released a short statment earlier this week to confirm Gyokeres' exit. It read: "Viktor Gyökeres is not available for the men's national team's friendlies against Hungary and Algeria due to a minor injury. "The striker will leave the squad after dialogue with the national team's medical team. Gyökeres needs to rehabilitate a minor injury and is therefore not available for the upcoming international matches against Hungary and Algeria. "In consultation with the medical team, the decision has been made that Viktor will leave the national team. The men's national team will face Hungary on June 6th away and Algeria at Strawberry Arena on June 10th." The striker provided an update on his future earlier in the week. He insisted that he had not made a decision on his future despite the Gunners having opened talks with Sporting chiefs. "We will see… nobody knows anything yet," Gyokeres said on the Flymoduspod podcast. "I wish I had a more fun answer, but that's all I can say for now."
Metro
4 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Sweden boss rubbishes Viktor Gyokeres transfer claim amid Arsenal talks
Jon Dahl Tomasson has vehemently denied claims that Viktor Gyokeres may have pulled out of Sweden's squad to avoid injuring himself ahead of a possible transfer move to Arsenal. Gyokeres was included in Tomasson's 24-man party for Sweden's upcoming friendly matches against Hungary and Algeria and looked certain to add to the 26 caps he has accumulated for his country. But on Tuesday it was announced that Gyokeres had been given permission to leave Sweden's training camp in Stockholm due to a 'minor injury' – and the prolific Sporting forward will play no part in either game. Tomasson will also be without Alexander Isak for the double-header after a groin problem forced the Newcastle attacker to withdraw from the squad. It comes as a blow to Sweden's preparations for their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins at the start of September against Slovenia. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. There has been some talk on social media that Gyokeres may have pulled out in order to protect himself from picking up an injury which could potentially scupper a big summer move. Arsenal are leading the race to sign Gyokeres and are believed to have held talks with the player's entourage in Lisbon last month, before he joined up with his international team-mates in Sweden. But Tomasson rubbished any suggestion that Gyokeres could be faking or exaggerating an injury, stating: 'No! He felt a small injury and our medical team was already aware of it and we decided, together, to release him. 'I spoke to Viktor last week. He hasn't trained much in the last few weeks and was feeling some discomfort because of a small injury. 'I was happy to see him and have him with us in this training camp. It says a lot about Viktor, how much he wants to get involved.' A statement from the Swedish FA on Tuesday read: 'He [Gyokeres] will leave the squad after dialogue with the national team's medical team. 'He needs to rehabilitate a minor injury and is therefore not available for the upcoming international matches against Hungary and Algeria. Budapest's Puskas Arena stages the first of Sweden's two friendlies against Hungary on Friday evening. Tomasson's men then return home to Sweden entertain Algeria at the Stockholm's Strawberry Arena. With speculation and gossip mounting, Gyokeres insists he is still yet to make a final decision over his future. 'We will see… nobody knows anything yet,' Gyokeres said on the Flymoduspod podcast earlier this week. 'I wish I had a more fun answer, but that's all I can say for now.' Sporting have grown increasingly resigned to losing Gyokeres this summer and club bosses are reportedly prepared to do business should they receive an offer of around £60million for the ex-Coventry City man. Gyokeres' current contract in Lisbon runs through to June 2028. More Trending 'He is very happy here,' Sporting manager Rui Borges said when asked for an update on Gyokeres' future as they celebrated their Primeira Liga title triumph together. 'He is very connected to the game, he wants to score and he is obsessed with it. 'He is the best striker in Europe, as the numbers show,' Borges added. 'He will be attractive, but I believe that if he doesn't leave Sporting, he will remain very committed to the club. He feels very happy here.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd offered PSG star after Ruben Amorim's top target joins Chelsea MORE: Chelsea respond to AC Milan transfer request for Mike Maignan MORE: Tijjani Reijnders speaks out ahead of impending £46.3m Man City transfer
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal confirming two things before final call on Sesko and Gyokeres transfers
Arsenal are tracking both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, so Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta have a big decision to make with regards to which player to pursue the most this summer Arsenal are reportedly looking into the framework of deals for both Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko as they aim to bring one of the strikers to the Emirates Stadium this summer. While the transfer window has temporarily been open since Sunday, there is still uncertainty over which of the two forwards the Gunners will really push to sign. Arsenal 's new sporting director Andrea Berta has held talks with Gyokeres' representatives and now reportedly Sesko's as he looks to secure a much-needed goalscorer for Mikel Arteta. Sesko is fresh off the back of his best Bundesliga campaign to date, where he scored 21 goals in all competitions. Gyokeres, meanwhile, enjoyed an extraordinary season where he netted 54 goals for Sporting CP on his way to lifting a domestic double, meaning both options would dramatically improve the Gunners. Now, BBC Sport 's Sami Mokbel has added to the confusion over which player the north Londoners are prioritising by saying the club are fully establishing the financial frameworks of deals for either player, before then making a final decision on which to sign. The report pointed out that Sesko may be the preferred choice from a footballing standpoint, stating that a move for the Slovenian has 'near-universal backing' at Arsenal. Sesko is the younger striker at 22 and plays in a stronger league, according to their recruitment data. But it was also highlighted that Sesko would be the more expensive deal, potentially costing up to £93million. Gyokeres, 27, is the more economical option at around £60m. His cheaper price-tag might well end up being the determining factor for Arsenal. Sesko, who rejected a move to Arsenal last summer, has been eyed by Arteta long before Berta's arrival as sporting director earlier this year. It is understood that RB Leipzig are looking to sell him during this window to generate some crucial income. Meanwhile, Gyokeres' refusal to rule out a move to north London indicates there could be some interest from the player in a return to English football, having previously played for both Brighton and Coventry City. In a recent cameo appearance on the Flymoduspod podcast, the Swede was asked by host Bernt Hulsker: "Where are you going in the summer transfer window? Can you give us a hint? Is it Arsenal? What are the alternatives?" Gyokeres chuckled before replying: "We will see. Nobody knows anything yet. I wish I had a more fun answer, but that's all I can say for now." Later in the conversation, as he was saying goodbye to his former team-mate, Leo Ostigard then added with a hint of jest: "Viktor! Great talking to you. See you soon, and text me when everything is signed and sorted down in Arsenal." Gyokeres jokingly replied: "Yeah, yeah sure." Last month, Gyokeres was asked by the media whether he liked London as a destination during a post-match interview. He ignored the question and shared his admiration for the Portuguese capital instead. Should Arteta and Berta opt against signing Sesko, they will need to move quickly to secure Gyokeres, with reports in Portugal claiming that they may have competition from Atletico Madrid for the Sporting man's signature.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres addresses Arsenal transfer on FaceTime – 'All I can say for now'
Sporting CP sensation Viktor Gyokeres is being targeted by a number of clubs this summer, with the Swedish striker keeping his cards close to his chest regarding a potential move to Arsenal Viktor Gyokeres told former team-mate Leo Ostigard that he cannot say much about a move to Arsenal at present. The Swedish Sporting CP forward has found himself an incredibly sought-after prospect in the summer transfer window thanks to a remarkable Primeira Liga campaign. After helping his side to a league title and a Taca de Portugal triumph in 2024/25, with 39 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances, the striker has been linked with moves to the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid as of late. And Gyokeres failed to rule out a move to north London during a recent FaceTime call with former Coventry team-mate, Ostigard. In a cameo appearance on the Flymoduspod podcast, Gyokeres was asked by host Bernt Hulsker: "Where are you going in the summer transfer window? Can you give us a hint? Is it Arsenal? What are the alternatives?" After a brief chuckle, Gyokeres replied: "We will see. Nobody knows anything yet. I wish I had a more fun answer, but that's all I can say for now." Later in the conversation, as he was saying goodbye to his former team-mate, Ostigard then added with a hint of jest: "Viktor! Great talking to you. See you soon, and text me when everything is signed and sorted down in Arsenal." Gyokeres jokingly replied: "Yeah, yeah sure." It comes after he was asked by media last month if he liked London during a post-match interview, to which he ignored the question and shared his admiration for the Portuguese capital instead. It's no secret that Arsenal are in dire need of a striker for 2025/26. Mikel Arteta was forced to utilise midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift centre forward at times this season after Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were sidelined through injury. Should Arsenal have had a prolific goalscorer fit for the majority of the season, the Gunners would likely have mounted a stronger challenge in the race for their first Premier League title in more than two decades. In reality, the north London side had to settle for second place for the third consecutive year, 10 points behind eventual league champions, Liverpool. Signing Gyokeres will certainly be no easy feat. As well as having to compete with a number of Premier League and European rivals, it is thought that Sporting will only look to part ways with their talisman for a fee of around £60million. That will come as a major profit to the Primeira Liga champions, who only acquired his services from Coventry for a reported £16.8m back in the summer of 2023. Meanwhile, Sporting head coach, Rui Borges, has also recently claimed that Gyokeres is content with his current club, telling reporters after a 2-0 win over Vitoria Guimaraes: "He is very happy here. He is very connected to the game, he wants to score and he is obsessed with it." He added: "He is the best striker in Europe, as the numbers show. He will be attractive, but I believe that if he doesn't leave Sporting, he will remain very committed to the club. He feels very happy here." Gyokeres isn't the only striker that Arsenal are thought to be considering at present, however, with RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko also reportedly being monitored by the Gunners' top brass. The Slovenian has proven himself in the Bundesliga this season, scoring 13 goals and providing five assists. Once again, however, acquiring Sesko would come at a cost - with reports suggesting that the asking price for the 22-year-old could be as high as £93m, given his age and that he is contracted until 2029. Meanwhile, it is said that Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are also in the race for his signature. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
