Viktor Gyokeres has already explained his admiration for two former Manchester United stars as his agent reacted to the Sporting president’s bombshell statement.
Manchester United’s interest in Viktor Gyökeres this summer is no secret, with Rúben Amorim keen to bring the striker into his squad.
However, recent reports indicate that Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has raised the asking price to £67 million, which has reportedly left Gyökeres “furious.”
The striker is said to believe there was a previous agreement allowing him to depart for a total package of €60 million plus €10 million in add-ons—equivalent to around £59 million.
Following speculation that Gyökeres might go public with his discontent, Varandas addressed the situation directly in the media.
The president firmly stated that Sporting would not tolerate any attempts at “blackmail” and made it clear the club would not accept a £59 million deal, despite earlier suggestions.
Gyokeres’ agent reacts to Sporting statement
This bombshell statement shocked United supporters, with reports suggesting that the president’s new valuation of Gyokeres was closer to £80 million, a package that the Reds probably cannot meet.
However, it has been revealed by Aftonbladet that Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, has said that he has written proof that Sporting promised him Gyokeres could leave for £59m this summer.
It feels like there have been constant twists in this story in recent days, with Arsenal also still in the race for his signature, and there are likely to be more developments in the coming days.
For around £60 million, it feels like a move which makes sense for the Reds – but more than £20 million extra would make things very complicated and unlikely.
Gyokeres wants to emulate Ronaldo and Zlatan
Gyokeres is a natural no.9 who strives for goals and United have had some of the best over the years – albeit not currently.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are two of the greatest goalscorers in history and both have played at Old Trafford. They are two players Gyokeres looks up to and wants to emulate in his career.
“The players I looked up to were Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo,” the 27-year-old previously told UEFA during an interview.
“It’s about how they performed on the pitch, they went the extra time which impressed me. I want to do similar things on the pitch.”
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