“Who Will Sign Gyokeres?” has become one of the most suspenseful ‘sagas’ in European football in 2025. While fans were expecting a “simple” mega-transfer, they instead got a legal thriller with soap opera elements: exclusive agent rights, behind-the-scenes blackmail, and threats. It seems that summer in Lisbon has turned into a theater of the absurd, where any offer below 100,000,000 euros is seen as an insult, and every word from the agent a threat of fiscal disaster for the Lisbon giants.🚨 JUST IN from @abolapt:Gyokeres’ agent included an option clause in his contract that ALLOWS HIM to demand 10% of the fee offered if Sporting reject a bid of £51M+.This is why they are refusing to sell him for less than his RC. The player could demand a fee from bid. 🤯 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/MhTPIA5XxK— Le African Gooner (@leafricangooner) June 14, 2025 Viktor Gyokeres is at the center of this increasingly tense transfer saga. After a phenomenal season in which he scored 43 goals in all competitions, the interest from Europe’s elite clubs has peaked. However, what’s happening behind the scenes increasingly resembles something out of a Game of Thrones-style novel. It’s already known that Gyokeres himself is disappointed, as he believes Sporting gave him a “verbal promise” last summer to facilitate a transfer this year if a serious offer came in. According to Portuguese media, such an offer has already arrived — reportedly exceeding 60 million. However, the club’s management, led by president Frederico Varandas, is hiding that information for a very pragmatic reason.Partey addressed his status with ArsenalA new explosive detail has now come to light, further complicating the situation: according to A Bola, the player’s agent Hasan Cetinkaya holds exclusive rights to negotiate Gyokeres’ sale, based on an agreement made when the striker first joined Sporting. That document contains a clause stating that Sporting must pay the agent 10% of any rejected offer exceeding 60 million, if the agent chooses to activate the clause. In other words, if Sporting turns down, say, a 70 million bid and the agent invokes the clause, the club would still be required to pay him 7 million — even if the transfer doesn’t go through. According to A Bola, this possibility could trigger a counter-reaction from the club — pushing Sporting into full defensive mode and insisting on the 100 million buyout clause as the only way to release Gyokeres. And for the clubs who are interested like Arsenal and Manchester United, this situation changes everything.David Raya’s got a backup plan — flight attendant ready and waitingAlthough Varandas had previously hinted he might accept a slightly lower fee (likely around 80 million), the agent’s maneuvering and the financial risk of losing money without a transfer have led the board to consider a total blockade. This further complicates the status of the Swedish striker, who is being targeted by numerous top-paying European clubs. Portuguese sources report that neither the player nor his agent is happy with the situation, and if tensions escalate, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a public conflict or a formal transfer request — possibly even a case brought before FIFA arbitration. One thing is certain: July transfer window in Lisbon will be anything but quiet. In the shadow of the FIFA Club World Cup, Sporting and Hasan Cetinkaya are waging a private battle for control over one of the most sought-after center-forwards in Europe.FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025Sunday03:00: (3.40) Al Ahly Cairo (3.70) Inter Miami (2.05)19:00: (1.01) Bayern (17.0) Auckland (60.0)22:00: (1.90) PSG (3.85) Atletico Madrid (4.10)Monday00:55: (2.65) Palmeiras (3.30) Porto (2.70)05:00: (1.95) Botafogo (3.45) Seattle (4.00)***odds are subject to change***
