Viktor Gyökeres has no intention of joining Sporting Portugal’s training camp on Saturday, according to English and Portuguese media. The Swedish striker is determined to secure a move to Arsenal and is now further alienating himself from the club.
Viktor Gyökeres’ future at Sporting CP is hanging by a thread, as tensions between the Swedish striker and club president Frederico Varandas continue to escalate.
What began as quiet frustration behind the scenes has now erupted into a full-blown standoff, with the player refusing to report for pre-season duties and the club weighing disciplinary action. The relationship between the two sides has deteriorated rapidly, and sources close to the situation suggest a resolution may be far off.
Gyökeres, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise since joining Sporting in 2023, was originally hailed as a marquee signing and a central figure in the club’s attacking line-up. His impact was immediate and overwhelming with 97 goals across two seasons in all competitions, the 27-year-old quickly became one of the most prolific strikers in European football. His pace, power, and finishing ability made him a fan favourite in Lisbon, and his performances inevitably drew attention from top clubs, including Arsenal.
Sporting had long anticipated that Gyökeres would be the subject of interest this summer, but hoped to retain control over the process. According to multiple reports, Varandas privately promised Gyökeres and his representatives that the club would facilitate a transfer if a €70 million bid came in. Arsenal, aware of this verbal commitment, structured an offer of €65 million in guaranteed payments with an additional €15 million in performance-related bonuses an overall package exceeding the player’s alleged release clause target. However, Sporting rejected the offer, demanding that the fixed portion alone must meet or exceed €70 million.
This refusal appears to have been the breaking point for Gyökeres. Feeling misled and betrayed, the striker has refused to return to Lisbon as scheduled. He was originally due back on Monday following international duty with Sweden, but was allowed to remain in his home country to await the outcome of negotiations. When those talks collapsed, the expectation was that he would return for training. Instead, he has now formally informed Varandas and the club’s management that he has no intention of rejoining the squad, including for the upcoming training camp in the Algarve.
The move is seen by many as an open act of defiance. Gyökeres is effectively trying to force Sporting’s hand, hoping to pressure the club into accepting Arsenal’s proposal. The Premier League side, for its part, remains interested and reportedly views Gyökeres as the ideal solution to their long-term centre-forward needs. Mikel Arteta is said to be a strong admirer, and personal terms between the player and Arsenal have already been agreed. The proposed five-year contract would significantly increase his salary and place him in direct competition with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz for a starting role.
Sporting, however, finds itself in a delicate position. The club wants to maintain authority and avoid setting a precedent of caving to player demands, especially after recent years in which several stars departed under difficult circumstances. President Varandas has publicly taken a hardline stance, stating earlier in the summer that Sporting “will not be blackmailed” by any player or agent. Now, with Gyökeres refusing to report, the board is considering options ranging from fines and suspensions to potentially excluding the player from squad activities until the situation is resolved.
Adding further complexity is the financial aspect. Gyökeres’ contract runs until 2027 and reportedly includes a €100 million release clause. If enforced strictly, this would give Sporting the right to reject all bids below that amount. However, there is increasing pressure from within the dressing room and among fans, some of whom sympathise with Gyökeres' position and believe the club should honour its verbal commitment especially given the fact that Arsenal’s bid exceeds the €70 million previously agreed upon in principle.
Behind closed doors, club officials are also concerned about the impact the standoff may have on the squad’s morale and upcoming season. Manager Rúben Amorim, who has relied heavily on Gyökeres in his tactical setup, is understood to be frustrated with the situation. With pre-season preparations already underway and the Champions League on the horizon, Sporting cannot afford to be without its main striker nor can it allow a prolonged distraction to unsettle the squad.
For now, Arsenal is playing a waiting game. Confident that the player’s determination will eventually lead Sporting to reconsider, the North London club has no plans to significantly alter its current offer. Sporting, on the other hand, faces a critical decision: stick to its financial demands and risk a season-long conflict, or accept a compromise that ends the impasse.
One thing is certain Viktor Gyökeres' days at Sporting appear to be numbered. Whether that ends with a record-breaking transfer or a bitter standoff remains to be seen.
