Sporting CP have been tipped to raise their asking price for star striker Viktor Gyokeres, who remains linked with Manchester United and Arsenal.

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• Gyokeres saga rumbles on
• Sporting CP in battle with agent
• Price tag could rise as a result

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  As the Gyokeres saga rumbles on without any sign of a breakthrough or resolution being close, has reported that the price might be about to go back up to €100 million (£85m/$116m). That is due to a brewing battle between the club and the striker's agent.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Comments from the agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, about having proof that Sporting had promised Gyokeres could leave for an initial €60m (£51m/$69m) were outed as fake – albeit only after being widely reshared. It prompted a tirade from Sporting president Federico Varandas, accusing Cetinkaya of playing a game and vowing not to be held to ransom of "blackmail".

  But as things develop, the CNN report has brought to light an alleged clause that would allow Cetinkaya to pocket a sum equivalent to 10% of any offer Sporting reject at €60m or higher. Given that Varandas has openly said €60m is not enough, the club may have to pay the agent a penalty fee once a bid has arrived. If Cetinkaya looks to enforce that clause, Sporting have been tipped to respond by raising their asking price from €70-80m (£60-68m/$81-92m) up to the full value of the release clause to 'counterattack' being liable for a pay-out.

  However, that also flies in the face of what Varandas agreed with Gyokeres in the summer of 2024, which could prompt further friction between the Swede and his club.

• WHAT SPORTING CP'S PRESIDENT SAID

  "I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m plus 10m because I never promised him that," Varandas is quoted as saying by . "[But] to this day, Sporting has not had an offer for Viktor Gyokeres, neither today nor last season.

  "It was agreed that Sporting would not demand the release clause at the end of the following season, especially because he was going to be 27. Then, we knew Viktor's dream of going to a club where he could fight for the Champions League and we have common sense."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Somebody actually needs to make an offer for Gyokeres that will test Sporting's resolve. Manchester United and Arsenal both remain linked as they consider striker options, but the Gyokeres saga all still feels quite hypothetical until there is a genuine approach. The more Sporting battle with the player's camp, the longer things will drag on.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News