Sporting head coach Rui Borges has remained coy on Viktor Gyokeres’ future as speculation surrounding the Manchester United target starts to heat up. Gyokeres is widely expected to leave Portugal this summer but has reportedly been left furious by Sporting shifting the goalposts regarding his transfer fee.
The 27-year-old has been linked with a host of European heavyweights, including United, Arsenal and Juventus, while Saudi Pro League clubs also circle. Gyokeres plundered 54 goals in 52 appearances last season, making it 97 in 102 since leaving Coventry City for Lisbon. His prolific exploits have made his future one of the most intriguing topics of the summer transfer window, but Borges has failed to shed any light on the situation.
On Tuesday, the Sporting boss appeared at an event to commemorate the 99th anniversary of provincial team Sport Clube de Mirandela, where his football career started.
And he ensured that those who targeted the event as an opportunity to enquire about Sporting’s summer transfer business were left disappointed.
“Gyokeres? Sporting’s future begins on July 1. That’s all I can say,” Borges told reporters when asked about his star striker.
“And today, I’m here to, above all, salute this tribute that was paid to me. That’s all. I’m on vacation. I’m not here to talk about that.”
According to Record, Gyokeres is livid with Sporting for going back on their gentleman’s agreement to allow him to leave for less than his £84million release clause.
It’s claimed that the Sweden international was promised he could find a new club for around £59m this summer after staying loyal before last season and in January.
However, the report adds that Sporting are now seeking £67m to part ways with Gyokeres, which could prove problematic for his suitors.
In recent days, Gyokeres removed a reference to Sporting from his Instagram account, though it’s not confirmed whether that decision was related to the club’s reported U-turn.
A price hike could derail United’s reported hopes of luring the Sporting superstar to Old Trafford, given their restricted transfer budget.
The Red Devils don’t have deep pockets this summer due to their 15th-place Premier League finish and failure to qualify for any European football next season.
Ruben Amorim has used his initial budget to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves and target a deal for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.
Player sales are required before further incomings, with Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho among those in the shop window.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk