Sporting holds firm as Gyökeres refuses to return for training camp

Lisbon hasn't exactly been the happiest place in the past few days, but inside the walls of Sporting, things seem pretty stable. Jose Alvalada's green fortress does not show the slightest sign of firing, although many other clubs would go crazy if their best scorer did not come to the gathering before leaving for training camp.

Viktor Gyökeres did exactly that today. The entire Sporting team went to the south of Portugal, to a camp in Lagos, but the second best scorer in Europe for the 2024/25 season was not part of that trip. The Swede has shown that he is a man of his word - more than 20 days ago he informed the club's leaders that he would not return, hoping that he would not have any obstacles regarding the transfer to a big European club, specifically Arsenal.

Last week it looked like a deal would be reached over the transfer, but president Frederico Varandas started raising the price. On Arsenal's offer of 65 million plus 15 million euros, he asked for an additional five million fixed. Arsenal's sporting director, Andrea Berta, thought that a total of 80 million was a sufficient figure, but the obstinate persistence of the other side stopped the negotiations. Topnik's return to Lisbon, which was expected on Friday, did not happen, and Gyökeres, as he had previously announced, refused to join the team.

Varandas reacted harshly and declared war in Lisbon: "We are peaceful. Everything will be resolved by closing the market, a harsher punishment and an apology to the team," the president threatened. He added: "If they don't want to pay a fair market price for Viktor, we're very relaxed with the contract for the next three years."

The situation is further complicated because the former sports director, Hugo Viana, before leaving for Manchester City, promised Viktor Hasan Četinkaja's agent that the player would be able to leave the club for around 60 million euros. Now the president is asking for at least 80 million. "His agent is only making it worse," Varandas said.

After announcing a harsh punishment for the player who brought the club titles and a double crown with 97 goals and 28 assists, the president also addressed those who think they can deceive Sporting: "No one is above the interests of Sporting, no matter who it is."

Tension is now at its peak in Lisbon. Gyökeres is trapped in a situation from which there is no way out, Arsenal is waiting, and Sporting is firmly holding the position, the contract as the biggest weapon.