Viktor Gyokeres says he desires to return to the Premier League but insists he’ll only join a club ‘who really wants me’ following interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.
Arsenal have held extensive talks with Sporting CP to sign Gyokeres this summer but have thus far been unable to succeed in an agreement with the Portuguese club.
Manchester United and Juventus have also approached Gyokeres this summer however the 27-year-old has told each clubs that Arsenal is his preferred destination.
Nonetheless, Sporting are standing firm over their €80 million (£68.6m) asking price and have been upset by claims from Gyokeres’ agent that a personal agreement had been reached to sell the striker for €60m (£51m) plus €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons.
Gyokeres is now attempting to force through a move by refusing to report back to pre-season training with Sporting this weekend and the Portuguese champions are actually exploring disciplinary proceedings.
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When asked about his future in an interview with France Football, Gyokeres said: ‘It’s football, you never know. I’m not interested by it, we’ll see what happens.
‘If something goes to occur, it’ll occur. Crucial thing for me is to play for a club that actually wants me.’
Nonetheless, Gyokeres made it clear that he’s keen to return to the Premier League after failing to make an impact at Brighton.
‘It’s one in every of the largest leagues in Europe,’ Gyokeres said.
‘I spent several years there without with the ability to play a single match. So, after all, it’s something I would love to do. It could be an excellent revenge.’
Gyokeres made his debut within the Champions League last season and impressed in Europe’s elite competition with six goals in eight appearances for Sporting, including a hat-trick within the 4-1 win at home to Manchester City last November.
When asked if any players have impressed him during Sporting’s Champions League run which ended with a 3-0 aggregate defeat to Borussia Dortmund within the knockout phase play-offs, Gyokeres replied: ‘Yes, after all, there have been a whole lot of players who impressed me.
‘Once we played against City and Arsenal you may see the standard that they’ve within the squad is amazing. You possibly can see the midfielders like Bernardo Silva, [Mateo] Kovacic, Arsenal with [Bukayo] Saka.
‘Centre-backs that I played against – Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, superb players, good to play against those form of players.’
Gyokeres also believes he ranks among the many top strikers on the earth alongside Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski.
‘I’m definitely one in every of them,’ Gyokeres said.
‘It’s difficult to rank me but yes, I’m at the identical table as them now.
‘What I managed to do at Sporting, I’m convinced I can do anywhere. You haven’t seen one of the best of Gyokeres yet.’
Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 appearances last season, also dismissed suggestions that his scoring record at Sporting is inflated because he’s playing in Portugal.
‘That’s just people’s opinion. And I don’t care,’ Gyokeres said.
‘I do know what I’ve achieved here, I’ve at all times done my best.
‘It’s a superb league, with a whole lot of technical players. Perhaps less physical than England, but with a extremely good level.’
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