Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres faces disciplinary action for missing training

Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres has been on the club’s radar all season, leading to an official bid of €65 million (£56m) with an additional €15 million (£13m) in performance-based add-ons. However, this offer failed to persuade Sporting president Frederico Varandas.

Reports show that Varandas is still holding onto the striker’s release clause of €70 million (£60.4m) plus an extra €10 million (£8.5m) in bonuses. This has enraged the Swedish striker, who feels betrayed by the club’s sudden change, after the confirmation of a “gentleman’s agreement” on a reduced fee of €65 million.

Gyokeres, who was handed an extended vacation to sort out his future, has now failed to return to camp for pre-season on Saturday.

Varandas has confirmed that striker Gyokeres will face disciplinary sanctions at the club after failing to turn up to training on Saturday.

Varandas said: “We’re calm. Everything can be solved with the closure of the market, a hefty fine and an apology to the group.

“If they don’t want to pay Viktor’s fair market value, we’ll be very comfortable with that for the next three years.

“If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to make it easier for him to leave, not only are they completely wrong, but they are also making it more complicated for the player to leave. No one is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are.”

The 27-year-old prolific striker has expressed his strong desire to return to the Premier League this season, having spent two years with Sporting CP in Portugal since his 2023 transfer from Coventry City.

Gyokeres has firmly stated his preference to join Arsenal, dismissing speculation about a move to Manchester United, where he could have reunited with his former Sporting CP manager, Ruben Amorim, effectively ruling out that possibility.

Last season, he racked up 52 appearances, scored 54 goals, and provided 13 assists for Sporting across all competitions.

Gyokeres made his debut in the Champions League last season, netting six goals in eight matches, highlighted by a hat-trick in Sporting CP’s 4-1 victory over Manchester City in November 2024.

He believes he is among the world’s top strikers such as Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski.

“I’m definitely one of them,” Gyokeres said. “It’s difficult to rank me but yes, I’m at the same table as them now.

“What I managed to do at Sporting, I’m convinced I can do anywhere. You haven’t seen the best of Gyokeres yet.”