Heating Up, Gyokeres' "Cold War" with Sporting

ALCOCHETE, FRIDAY — Amid transfer rumors to Arsenal, forward Viktor Gyokeres was absent from preseason training with Sporting CP. The 27-year-old striker has stood by his decision not to return to his club due to feeling betrayed by the club president.

Gyokeres was granted the flexibility to arrive late for the preseason training that has been ongoing since early July at the Cristiano Ronaldo Academy in Alcochete. However, after the additional holiday period ended on Friday (11/7/2025), his presence was still not observed.

As is known, Gyokeres has agreed to a personal contract with Arsenal. However, Arsenal and Sporting are still in the negotiation stage. "There's no sign of Gyokeres today, and I don't think there will be any tomorrow," Portuguese journalist David Novo told Sky Sports.

The Swedish national team player is already disappointed with Sporting President Frederico Varandas. He feels that he has been hindered in his attempt to transfer clubs. In fact, Gyokeres was promised by Varandas that he could leave this summer. This is what caused him to cancel his departure last season.

According to The Athletic, the president will also not demand that the buying club pay Gyokeres' 100 million euro (Rp 1.89 trillion) release clause. Varandas is only asking for 60 million euros, plus a 10 million euro bonus if certain targets are met. Gyokeres considers this figure realistic.

Arsenal has already agreed to pay a total of 70 million euros, but Sporting is instead requesting an increase in the transfer value. Gyokeres is valued at 80 million euros. Varandas changed his mind due to the pressing urgency of Arsenal and the very limited availability of top strikers in this transfer window.

Varandas stated last June that they were merely trying to be realistic. They consider Gyokeres to be one of the best strikers in Europe at present. The striker scored 54 goals and provided 11 assists across all competitions last season. This is what necessitates a higher price than the agreement.

"Sporting does not want other clubs to pay the release clause. He is already 27 years old. No player has left Portugal at that age for a fee of 100 million euros. However, Sporting will not accept 60 plus 10 million euros. We also do not tolerate threats and insults," said Varandas.

Portuguese media outlet Record reported that Gyokeres was furious and felt betrayed by the president's change of heart. He immediately closed off any possibility of returning to Sporting. Gyokeres also deleted all Sporting-related material from his social media accounts.

The current situation regarding Gyokeres's transfer is at a standstill. The valuation of Arsenal and Sporting may only differ by about 5-10 million euros, but both clubs remain steadfast in their respective offers. In the worst-case scenario, the transfer could ultimately fall through.

Arsenal is known for being very strict regarding player valuations in recent years. They have their own assessment of targeted players. Typically, "The Gunners" will not raise the price significantly beyond that valuation. An example can be seen in the case of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

Arsenal offered £40 million (Rp 876 billion) for Watkins last January. The offer was rejected by Villa as it was deemed too low. Arsenal did not make a second offer despite being in a striker crisis. They were unable to bid higher for Watkins, who is already 29 years old.

The team coached by Mikel Arteta concluded the January transfer window without acquiring a new striker. This principle was employed by Arsenal to avoid being trapped in the free player market. Often, major clubs in the English Premier League are "squeezed" when they seek to bring in players.

Arsenal's neighboring club, Tottenham Hotspur, is also facing a complex transfer situation. According to BBC Sport, Nottingham Forest is considering legal action regarding the transfer of their player, Morgan Gibbs-White, to Tottenham.

On Thursday, Tottenham was reported to have triggered the release clause of Gibbs-White amounting to 60 million pounds. The England national team player has agreed to join Tottenham and is only awaiting a medical examination. The issue, however, is that the Forest side believes there has been a violation in the transfer process.

Forest has not yet granted permission to Spurs to speak with Gibbs-White. According to Premier League regulations, clubs are not allowed to communicate with players who are still under contract with other teams unless they have obtained permission.

Forest is making every effort to thwart the transfer. Tottenham is aware that this situation could negatively impact the arrival of Gibbs-White, but hopes that an agreement can be reached soon between the two teams. (AP/REUTERS).