Viktor Gyokeres faces disciplinary action after missing Sporting pre-season training
New Delhi: Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres is facing disciplinary action by his club, Sporting Lisbon, after he failed to report for pre-season training.
Club president Frederico Varandas confirmed the situation and also added that any potential transfer is becoming more complicated. Talks are still ongoing, and it is expected that Arsenal will remain hopeful of striking a deal with their most recent proposal of around 70m euros, including add-ons.
Last month, Varandas said there was no reason for Gyokeres to reject the 70m euros deal, but he also added that the club would not demand his full release clause of 100m euros. The Swedish striker scored 54 goals in 52 matches last season and has netted 97 goals in 102 appearances during his two seasons at Sporting. He has also won two league titles with the club.
Varandas told the Portuguese news agency Lusa that “no one is above the interests of the club.” He added, “We’re calm. Everything can be resolved with the closure of the market, a hefty fine, and an apology to the group.”
🚨⚠️ Sporting president Varandas on Gyökeres not showing up for pre-season: “If they don’t want to pay Viktor’s fair market value, we’re very comfortable with that for the next three years”.
“This strategy is also making it more complicated for the player to leave. Nobody is… pic.twitter.com/VPHemfkPFq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)
The Portuguese club remain firm on Viktor Gyokeres‘ valuation and have made it clear they are in no rush to sell him. The club is comfortable keeping him for the next three years if interested parties are unwilling to match his fair market price. Sporting also believe that attempts by other clubs to pressure them into lowering their demands will only make negotiations more difficult, not easier, and could ultimately complicate any potential move for the player.
Gyokeres is yet to explain why he was absent from pre-season training, but the Sporting president does not seem happy with his absence.