Sporting Club president Frederico Varandas has revealed his stance on the transfer of Manchester United-linked striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer. The striker has been linked with a number of top sides this summer as he looks set to complete a move away from Lisbon.
Two years in Portugal have positioned Gyokeres as one of Europe’s leading marksmen, with 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting, a hugely impressive number. The Sweden international was expected to cost around €70 million, but the Portuguese outfit are not willing to let him go for that low.
In an interview with O Jogo, Varandas pointed out that he will not be strong-armed into selling the striker for a fee lower than he intends. He pointed out that the striker’s agent is trying to blackmail the club, a move that will worsen the situation. He revealed that Gyokeres has not had a proposal for a transfer and has three years left in his contract.
Viktor Gyokeres has won the Golden Boot in both of his seasons in the Portuguese Primeira Liga and has decided to move elsewhere this summer. Reports indicate that the striker is prepared to force a move away from the club, who are not looking to accept less than his €100 million release clause.
Gyokeres has been approached by several sides, including Manchester United, where he could be reunited with Ruben Amorim, and Arsenal. He was also an option for Al-Hilal, as well, as they sought to bring in a new striker for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Manchester United have reportedly set their sights on Polish goalkeeper Marcin Bulka to provide competition for Andre Onana between the sticks. The Red Devils are prepared to spend on a new goalkeeper this summer after Onana failed to impress since his arrival at Old Trafford.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has pointed out that OGC Nice star Bulka has emerged as an option for Manchester United this summer. The former Chelsea man should be a straightforward transfer from the Ligue 1 side, who are also owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS Group.
Bulka came through the Chelsea academy before moving to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and then Nice in search of first-team football. He kept eight clean sheets in 40 appearances for the French outfit in the 2024-25 season, and was a key performer.
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