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By ROBERT SUMMERSCALES Published: 00: 33 AEST, 30 June 2025 | Updated: 01: 35 AEST, 30 June 2025 48 View comments Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas believes Viktor Gyokeres will leave the club this summer - but has warned potential suitors they will not get the Swedish striker on the cheap. Gyokeres, 27, has been linked with a string of Premier League clubs after two prolific seasons in Portugal in which he scored 97 goals in 102 appearances, firing Sporting to back-to-back league titles. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Varandas insisted Sporting do not need to sell Gyokeres but will respect the player's dream of moving if a club meets what they believe is a fair market price. 'Sporting is very calm regarding Viktor Gyokeres, ' Varandas told O Jogo. 'Sporting does not need to sell him, but we remain sensitive to the dreams of Viktor and any of our athletes. 'After weeks of meetings, we are not asking for the release clause and will be reasonable regarding the price we ask for Viktor. Today, I believe there is a strong probability he will leave. 'We have been watching the market and I saw [Martin] Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, leave for €65million. I saw Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both forwards but who, in my opinion, do not have Viktor's market value or quality, being negotiated for around €75million. Viktor Gyokeres is a wanted man this summer after scoring 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting Sporting president Frederico Varandas (right) expects Gyokeres to leave but not on the cheap Varandas said Gyokeres is worth more than Man United's £62. 5m signing Matheus Cunha 'Given the demands we consider fair, I believe Viktor could leave – unless he has the worst agent in the world, which is hard for me to believe, because he is one of the best footballers in the world. ' Reports have suggested Sporting are holding out for around €80million (£67. 7m) for Gyokeres, with Manchester United and Arsenal among the clubs interested in the former Coventry City striker. United have already signed Cunha from Wolves for £62. 5m this summer and have also seen multiple bids rejected for Brentford forward Mbeumo. Varandas refused to confirm the exact figure he expects for Gyokeres but made it clear Sporting will not accept a cut-price deal, saying: 'The player knows, the agent knows, and I can guarantee, with absolute certainty, that Viktor will not leave for €60million plus €10million in add-ons. 'It's not about trying to gain something, it's that he simply will not leave for that – absolutely will not. ' Varandas said the situation will play out in one of two ways: either a club will respect Gyokeres' market value and allow the striker to realise his dream, or he will remain at Sporting with three years left on his contract. 'If Viktor stays, we will be very, very happy – and it will be a problem for our rivals, ' he added. The forward is of interest to both Manchester United and Arsenal, but could yet stay put According to Varandas, Gyokeres should also cost more than Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo Varandas also moved to reassure Sporting fans that there is no danger of the saga derailing the club's preparations for the new season, insisting the club will be ready to replace Gyokeres should he leave. 'We are completely prepared to move for our target if Viktor leaves, ' he said. 'If he stays, we are delighted, and it will be a problem for our opponents. ' Gyokeres is currently on holiday after international duty with Sweden and is due to report back for pre-season in Lisbon on July 7 unless a deal is struck before then. Sporting won the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal double last season.
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