Sporting Lisbon Claims Victor Gyokeres Was Sold for More Than the Fee Paid by Arsenal

Sporting Lisbon reportedly agreed to sell Viktor Gyokeres to Manchester United for a fee that exceeded the amount Arsenal paid to acquire him, according to an assistant to the player’s agent. Gyokeres, 27, had been a sought-after talent after scoring 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portuguese club, with both Premier League giants competing for his signature last summer.

Initially thought to favor Manchester United, especially since he previously worked under coach Ruben Amorim in Portugal, Gyokeres ultimately chose Arsenal. The North London club paid around £64 million, after Gyokeres went on strike to push for a transfer, committing to the Gunners from the beginning.

In an interview, Jonathan Chalkias, an aide to Gyokeres’s agent Hasan Cetinkaya, revealed that Sporting would have preferred Gyokeres to join United, who offered a higher transfer fee. He also claimed Sporting’s negotiations with United were conducted behind their back, which caused friction. Chalkias emphasized that many lucrative offers, including from Saudi Arabia, were on the table, but Gyokeres’s move was motivated partly by the marketing benefits for Sporting.

Gyokeres’s decision to refuse training at Sporting sparked criticism from the club’s president, Frederico Varandas, who threatened hefty fines and accused Gyokeres of tactics to forcedly leave. The player’s representatives defended him, stating Gyokeres deserved more respect from the club, especially considering his on-field contributions, which included winning three trophies.

Transition to Arsenal and Early Performance

Gyokeres’s start at Arsenal has been modest, with three goals in ten appearances. Despite some criticism, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta praised his work ethic, highlighting his role in stretching defenses and creating space. After a recent win over West Ham, Arteta commended Gyokeres’s efforts and contributions to the team.

Arsenal now sit at the top of the Premier League table, having overtaken Liverpool, and are preparing for their next fixture against Fulham after the international break.