Sporting Clube de Portugal president Frederico Varandas revealed no promises were made to Viktor Gyokeres about letting him leave for €60million this summer amid interest from Manchester United.
Earlier this year, the Manchester Evening News reported that, according to the Portuguese press, Gyokeres has a 'gentleman’s agreement' allowing him to leave at the end of the 2024/25 season for less than his €100million (£84m) release clause. This week, the Manchester Evening News reported that Sporting have raised his valuation from €60m (£50m) plus €10m (£8m) in add-ons to €80m (£67.7m).
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, the club’s decision left Gyokeres 'angered'. In response, the striker removed all references to Sporting and Sweden from his Instagram bio, which now simply reads 'Sportsperson'.
Sporting had yet to comment on the situation, but Varandas has now broken his silence during a press conference at a museum in Leiria. "One thing is that you should already know me better," he said. "Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me.
"I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60+€10m (in add-ons) because I never promised him that.
When asked if there were any offers for €60m, Varandas added: "To this day, Sporting has not had an offer for Viktor Gyokeres, neither today nor last season.
"He is a fantastic professional, to this day he has had zero offers. He has a three-year contract with Sporting."
Varandas also explained the gentleman's agreement with Gyokeres, further explaining: "It was agreed that Sporting would not demand the release clause at the end of the season, especially because he was going to be 27.
"We knew about Viktor's dream of going to a club where he could fight for the Champions League and we have common sense.
"We guaranteed that we would not demand €100m. Sporting has common sense, it keeps its word.
"The president of Sporting said that the club would not demand the clause and that we would adjust the value to Viktor's performance, he was one of the best players ever to step on the pitch in Portugal."
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