Arsenal’s pursuit of Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres has taken a dramatic turn after Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas confirmed the player is facing disciplinary action for skipping pre-season training.
Gyökeres, 26, was a notable absentee as Sporting resumed preparations for the 2025/26 campaign, despite ongoing negotiations with the Gunners.
The no-show has irked Sporting’s top brass, with Varandas warning that any potential deal is now becoming “more complicated”.
“We’re calm,” Varandas told Portuguese news agency Lusa. “But no one is above the interests of the club. Everything can be solved with the closure of the market, a hefty fine and an apology.”
Sources close to BBC Sport revealed that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta held face-to-face talks with the prolific striker in Portugal last week. Arsenal’s latest offer reportedly stands at €70m (£60m) including add-ons—well below the striker’s €100m (£85m) release clause.
Varandas was quick to rebuff suggestions that Sporting would accept anything less than fair market value, branding Gyökeres’ absence as a misguided pressure tactic.
“If the geniuses devising this strategy think it puts pressure on me, they’re wrong. It only makes the deal harder,” Varandas said bluntly.
Gyökeres was sensational last season, scoring 54 goals in 52 games and powering Sporting to back-to-back league titles. In total, he has netted 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Lisbon-based side since arriving two years ago.
Despite the off-field drama, Arsenal remain hopeful of sealing the deal. Mikel Arteta is keen to add firepower to his squad after narrowly missing out on the Premier League title last term.
