Sporting concerned Arsenal will trigger €100m striker clause in final days

With just days left in the transfer window, Sporting officials are increasingly concerned that a club like Arsenal, Chelsea, or PSG could trigger the player’s €100 million release clause according to Portuguese paper, Correio da Manhã.

GYOKERES GOALS SOUND ALARMS IN ALVALADE Market officials fear any club could hit the 100 million euro clause by the close of the transfer window in the Swede'S huge numbers in four games are impressive Correio da Manhã Weekend25 Aug 2024 Advanced admits that anything can happen until the market closes ● With six days until the transfer market closes in Europe's top leagues, Viktor Gyokeres ' goals are causing alarm among Sporting officials. 

The 100 million of the termination clause gives some security, but the recent displays of the Swede may lead some of the colossuses of European football to move towards the purchase of the star in the coming days, the CM found. Chelsea, Arsenal and PSG have the financial capacity for the deal and are on the ground looking for a goalscorer. Gyokeres has always been on a short list of forwards at these clubs, but the surgery he underwent on his left knee before preseason cooled interest. However, the forward's numbers in this start to the season are more lethal than ever. In the four official games he scored an impressive six goals and made three assists. The player said, after the hat trick against Farense, that he would probably stay, but also admitted that anything could happen until the market closes. Opinion shared by coach Rúben Amorim, who pointed to the termination clause. Hiring a forward remains one of SAD's top priorities. Ioannidis remains the main desire, but news from Greece guarantees that the player will renew for Panathinaikos. It is certain that the market in Portugal closes only on September 2nd.

24 August 2024

Correio da Manhã Weekend

The 26-year-old forward has been in sensational form, scoring six goals and providing three assists in just four games this season. That’s on the back of 43 goals and 15 assists in 50 games last season.

This kind of output has reignited interest from Europe’s elite clubs, with Arsenal among those monitoring the situation closely.

Initially, interest in Gyökeres cooled after the striker underwent surgery on his left knee before preseason, raising concerns over his fitness.

However, his rapid return to top form has silenced those doubts and made him one of the most sought-after strikers in the final stretch of the window.

Sporting manager Rúben Amorim acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Gyökeres’ future, pointing to the €100 million release clause as a potential safeguard. “The clause gives us some security,” Amorim said, but he admitted that anything could happen as the transfer window draws to a close.

Gyökeres himself, while comfortable with the thought of staying in Lisbon, conceded after his hat-trick against Farense that “anything can happen until the market closes.”

Arsenal’s pursuit of a forward has been ongoing, with Mikel Arteta eager to add more firepower to his squad.

While the Gunners have options in attack, a prolific goalscorer like Gyökeres would offer both depth and versatility that is so desperately needed with Gabriel Jesus’s fitness far from guaranteed for the season.

Sporting’s fear is that Arsenal, with their financial clout, could make a late move to secure the Swede.

It’s worth noting that Sporting’s primary focus in the transfer market remains on securing a replacement should Gyökeres leave. Their top target, Fotis Ioannidis, is reportedly close to signing a contract extension with Panathinaikos, further complicating Sporting’s plans.

The transfer window in Portugal remains open until September 2nd but closes in England at 11pm August 30th, giving clubs like Arsenal a small window to make a decisive move.

For now, Sporting will hope that their star striker stays put, but they remain wary of any last-minute offers from Europe’s giants