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Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer latest as 'defend our interests' threat made
Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are closing in on the signing of Viktor Gyokeres but Sporting CP are yet to ratify the deal and there's a spanner in the works for the Portuguese giants
Almeria president Joao Goncalves has issued a warning to Sporting CP by claiming they are open to selling striker Luis Suarez to other clubs, as talks with Arsenal regarding Viktor Gyokeres' transfer continue.
Sporting see Suarez, who scored 31 goals in 43 appearances last season, as the ideal replacement for their Swedish goal machine. However, other European clubs, including Sunderland and Burnley, have expressed interest in Suarez, and Almeria are now considering their options.
Sporting are waiting for the sale of Gyokeres to Arsenal to be finalised before moving forward with a deal for Suarez, but a disagreement over potential add-ons has delayed the £63.5million transfer, which has proved controversial in Portugal, reports the Mirror.
Goncalves has now revealed that Almeria is willing to engage in talks with other clubs, telling CNN Portugal: "Luis has had his best season, he's in the best moment of his career. Thirty one goals is a number any forward wants to achieve.
"We haven't had any official contact with Sporting to date. We haven't received any formal or informal contact, but we have with other clubs, and we're moving forward with negotiations with other clubs. We're managing our timing."
Regarding Suarez's value, Goncalves stated: "Fair value? He has a €40million release clause. To paraphrase Frederico Varandas - we're not asking for the value of the clause, but we're going to defend our interests."
The Colombian international is contracted with LaLiga 2 team Almeria until 2029, but it's believed the player is keen to join Sporting. This could be a deciding factor as even if Almeria strike a deal with another club, Suarez may hold out for Sporting.
However, Goncalves' remarks give yet another reason for the Portuguese champions to swiftly seal a deal with Arsenal for Gyokeres. The Swedish player is waiting for permission to travel to London for his medical checks.
He won't be joining the Arsenal squad on their flight to Singapore today for their pre-season tour of Asia, but he could potentially join the group once all necessary formalities are successfully completed.
Arsenal have already agreed an initial fee of £55m (€63.5m) for Gyokeres and they'll also shell out around £8.5m (€10m) in bonuses.
Sporting's preference is to receive £2.2m (€2.5m) once the 27-year-old has made 20 appearances, £2.2m (€2.5m) once Gyokeres has reached 40 appearances and then a further £2.2m (€2.5m) if Arsenal secure Champions League qualification.
The Gunners want the final bonus payment to be more challenging to achieve, but Sporting are reportedly seeking assurances they will eventually receive the entire fee.
Discussions between Arsenal and Sporting are also ongoing regarding the FIFA solidarity mechanism which compensates Gyokeres' previous clubs for their role in the striker's development.
Daily Star Sunday
Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are closing in on the signing of Viktor Gyokeres but Sporting CP are yet to ratify the deal and there's a spanner in the works for the Portuguese giants
Almeria president Joao Goncalves has issued a warning to Sporting CP by claiming they are open to selling striker Luis Suarez to other clubs, as talks with Arsenal regarding Viktor Gyokeres' transfer continue.
Sporting see Suarez, who scored 31 goals in 43 appearances last season, as the ideal replacement for their Swedish goal machine. However, other European clubs, including Sunderland and Burnley, have expressed interest in Suarez, and Almeria are now considering their options.
Sporting are waiting for the sale of Gyokeres to Arsenal to be finalised before moving forward with a deal for Suarez, but a disagreement over potential add-ons has delayed the £63.5million transfer, which has proved controversial in Portugal, reports the Mirror.
Goncalves has now revealed that Almeria is willing to engage in talks with other clubs, telling CNN Portugal: "Luis has had his best season, he's in the best moment of his career. Thirty one goals is a number any forward wants to achieve.
"We haven't had any official contact with Sporting to date. We haven't received any formal or informal contact, but we have with other clubs, and we're moving forward with negotiations with other clubs. We're managing our timing."
Regarding Suarez's value, Goncalves stated: "Fair value? He has a €40million release clause. To paraphrase Frederico Varandas - we're not asking for the value of the clause, but we're going to defend our interests."
The Colombian international is contracted with LaLiga 2 team Almeria until 2029, but it's believed the player is keen to join Sporting. This could be a deciding factor as even if Almeria strike a deal with another club, Suarez may hold out for Sporting.
However, Goncalves' remarks give yet another reason for the Portuguese champions to swiftly seal a deal with Arsenal for Gyokeres. The Swedish player is waiting for permission to travel to London for his medical checks.
He won't be joining the Arsenal squad on their flight to Singapore today for their pre-season tour of Asia, but he could potentially join the group once all necessary formalities are successfully completed.
Arsenal have already agreed an initial fee of £55m (€63.5m) for Gyokeres and they'll also shell out around £8.5m (€10m) in bonuses.
Sporting's preference is to receive £2.2m (€2.5m) once the 27-year-old has made 20 appearances, £2.2m (€2.5m) once Gyokeres has reached 40 appearances and then a further £2.2m (€2.5m) if Arsenal secure Champions League qualification.
The Gunners want the final bonus payment to be more challenging to achieve, but Sporting are reportedly seeking assurances they will eventually receive the entire fee.
Discussions between Arsenal and Sporting are also ongoing regarding the FIFA solidarity mechanism which compensates Gyokeres' previous clubs for their role in the striker's development.
Daily Star Sunday