It was at that point that the entire saga took a turn. Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas accused Gyökeres’s agent of “blackmail” and rejected the existence of an agreement which would see the striker sold for well below his €100 million (£85.1 million, $115.4 million) release clause.

Conflicting reports around Arsenal's pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres suggest the Gunners may start looking elsewhere with Portuguese media reporting that Sporting Lisbon want more money

Juventus are reportedly ready to rival Arsenal and Manchester United for the signing of Sporting's former Coventry City striker