Sporting CP willing to drop Viktor Gyokeres' release clause

Viktor Gyokeres scored his 24th goal of the new season in Sporting CP’s 6-0 hammering of Amarante FC last Friday, continuing his incredible form ahead of the return of Champions League action.

Sporting take on Premier League side Arsenal on Tuesday and Gyokeres has the chance to impress potential suitors. His goals have attracted the interest of a number of English clubs and some have suggested that a reunion with former Sporting boss Ruben Amorin at Manchester United could be an option.

Premier League teams are the best-placed to stump up the huge transfer fee that Sporting would certainly demand for their top talent but may not have to pay his listed release clause.

It has been widely reported that Gyokeres' Sporting contract has a €100 million release clause. But BBC Sport has revealed that Sporting would be will to accept a fee of between €75-€85 million, albeit not until next summer’s transfer window.

Premier League team rejected cut-price Gyokeres deal

The Swede’s incredible form in Portugal has come as a surprise to many, certainly to the English teams who allowed him to slip through their grasp. Brighton & Hove Albion signed him in 2018 but he was allowed to leave after failing to make a single league appearance in three years at the club.

Dan Ashworth - now Manchester United sporting director - was a senior figure at Brighton at the time and sanctioned a £1 million sale to second tier Coventry City.

More recently, Leeds United were offered the chance to sign Gyokeres after two impressive seasons with Coventry in the Championship. Former Leeds director of football Victor Orta revealed that he had turned down the opportunity to sign Gyokeres shortly before he made the move to Lisbon.

Orta told Portuguese newspaper Record: “When I was at Leeds United I didn’t want to give €14m for him. Cases like that of Gyökeres are the good surprises that football gives us, those things that we cannot measure.”

Sporting eventually forked out €20 million to bring Gyokeres to Portugal and their faith has been rewarded. Since joining in the summer of 2023 Gyokeres has struck 66 goals in just 68 games, enough to make him one of the most coveted strikers in the world.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.