Viktor Gyokeres is facing a rather awkward return to Sporting with his future seemingly no closer to being resolved.
A move away from Portuguese champions this summer has felt inevitable for the 27-year-old - who scored 54 goals across all competitions last season - amid links to both Arsenal and Manchester United.
However, as things currently stand, he is still a Sporting player and a transfer saga has threatened to turn ugly after the club’s president Frederico Varandas rejected reports that Gyokeres had an agreement allowing him to leave for €60m (£51m) plus €10m (£8.6m).
“They should know me better by now,” Varandas said.
“Threats, blackmail and insults do not work with me. And I can guarantee one thing: Viktor will not leave for €60m plus €10m. I never promised this.
“With this game that the agent is playing, the situation is only getting worse. To date, Sporting have not had an offer for Viktor Gyokeres. Not today or last summer.”
This development prompted reports of Gyokeres threatening to not return to the club for the new season in an attempt to push through a move to Arsenal.Leave Croydon nowBarcelo Hotel Group
Interestingly, Gyokeres was not among the initial batch of Sporting players to report back for pre-season training earlier in the week.
Although, his absence has nothing to do with going on strike as he has been granted extra time off after being away with the Sweden national team after the domestic season had finished.
A Sporting statement reads: “Those who have been away with their respective national teams will report to training at a later date.”
It has been reported that Gyokeres is due back in training early next week, so all eyes are sure to be on whether he features in Sporting’s first pre-season fixture against Celtic on July 16.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail claim that Mikel Arteta wants his new striker - whether that be Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko - signed by the time Arsenal fly out to Singapore for their pre-season tour on July 19.
