Sporting Lisbon are proving to be a difficult nut to crack as they try to receive the best possible price for their talisman, Viktor Gyokeres, this summer.
Arsenal's negotiations with the Portuguese club have nearly hit a dead end as Sporting president Frederico Varandas continues to push for a total deal priced at £69m. The issue from Gyokeres' side, which is currently resulting in the player effectively going on strike, is that he was under the impression he could leave for just under £60m.
Varandas has confirmed that Sporting will be launching disciplinary action against Gyokeres for failing to report for the start of pre-season. Such behaviour may feel uncommon practice, however Sporting do have precedent for dealing with clubs like this and Manchester United have already been told the formula to succeed.
Cast your minds back to the January transfer window of 2023 and Tottenham Hotspur seemed certain to be signing Pedro Porro from Sporting. All was agreed and a medical was booked in London for the full-back.
However, as The Athletic reported at the time, the deal was on the verge of being called off as Varandas made a last-minute ploy for more money by reneging on the offer that was already agreed. This unconventional move is not too far removed from what the Sporting president is doing with Gyokeres.
Eventually, Spurs were able to get their man through help from Porro who admitted he did not turn up to training on deadline day so that he could force Sporting's hand. United will hope the Swedish centre-forward is not having to resort to such tricks come the end of August if they are trying to sign him but the lessons from the Porro deal are a timely reminder for the Reds.
Sooner or later, Sporting are going to have to fold on Gyokeres. They simply cannot afford to have a player in their squad who is willing to not turn up to training until a move away is completed.
It makes no sense for Varandas to keep a player against his will and while, at the moment, he is happy to hold his line due to the lack of competitive fixtures, he will have no choice but to compromise as we edge closer to the regular season beginning. Should United want Gyokeres, they must remain patient and trust that negotiating with Sporting will become easier as the transfer window progresses.
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