Viktor Gyokeres has refused to confirm whether he will still be a Sporting player next season, saying he ‘can’t promise anything’ amid reported interest from Arsenal.
Sporting landed Gyokeres for a fee of just £17million from Coventry City last summer and the 25-year-old has enjoyed a barnstorming debut campaign in the Primeira Liga, racking up 27 goals and ten assists in 31 games – helping the club win their second title in three years under Ruben Amorim.
Gyokeres’ performances have not gone unnoticed among Europe’s elite and recent reports emanating out of Portugal claim Arsenal are leading the race to sign the forward, with the Gunners keen to reinforce their attack in the summer transfer window.
Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have also been credited with a strong interest in Gyokeres’ services, while Chelsea are believed to have had a £73m offer rejected for the Swede in January.
The sought-after ex-Coventry man has a €100m (£86m) release clause in his contract in Lisbon and Sporting are only prepared to let their star man leave if this is paid in full.
It’s understood Sporting have even been exploring the possibility of increasing Gyokeres’ release clause to €120m (£103m) to put themselves in the strongest possible position ahead of a possible bidding war.
‘It was a good day and we will definitely celebrate,’ Gyokeres told reporters when quizzed on his future after Benfica’s defeat to Famalicao secured Sporting the 2023/24 league title.
‘Let’s see what happens, it’s just beginning. It’s my first title. I explain the celebration at the end of the season, after the league and cup. Let’s try to win everything.
‘Ruben Amorim is a great coach, I wouldn’t mind if he continued [laughs].
‘I had many coaches, but of course Ruben Amorim brought me here, it was very important in my career. Thank you Sportinguistas, see you soon.’
Gyokeres insisted he was ‘very happy’ at Sporting, but was unable to reassure supporters that he would still be wearing their colours next season.
‘It’s football, I can’t promise anything,’ he added.
‘I have a contract and I won’t be sad if I stay, I’m very happy, but we’ll see what happens
‘We can’t predict much, but let’s see what next year will be like, we still have games this season.’
Last month, Gyokeres’ agent suggested ‘it will be more difficult’ for the Sweden international to stay put should Amorim leave Sporting, with the manager linked with Liverpool, Chelsea and West Ham in recent weeks.
However, Amorim has since committed his future to Sporting and fans of the newly crowned Portuguese champions will no doubt be hoping that Gyokeres follows suit.
‘I’m staying. I have a contract with Sporting,’ Amorim told reporters at the weekend.
‘I dedicate it [league title] to all the Sporting fans. Now we will try to go for a third [league title since he took over].’
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