Viktor Gyokeres’ £64million move to Arsenal has taken an unexpected twist, with reports in Sweden linking it to a shooting and suspected blackmail attempt.
According to Swedish outlet ETC, police are probing an incident in Huddinge, near Stockholm, where two gunshots were fired at the home of a relative of one of Gyokeres’ agents.
Investigators believe the attack may be tied to the transfer after the relative allegedly boasted about receiving a share of the transfer money.
The Sweden international was involved in one of the most heated transfer sagas of the summer, eventually sealing a switch from Sporting Lisbon to join Mikel Arteta’s squad.
The move came after Gyokeres refused to report for pre-season training with Sporting, prompting club president Frederico Varandas to stress that “no one is above the interests of the club” while standing firm in negotiations.
The Sun reports that authorities are exploring whether the agent’s family member was targeted in a “sick blackmail bid” and possible attempted murder.
A representative for Gyokeres responded: “It is a very vulnerable industry where things like this unfortunately occur. This shooting has nothing to do with me or football.”
Interestingly, Sporting president Varandas had already spoken earlier in the summer about “blackmail and insults” failing to influence the club’s stance on Gyokeres, remarks then thought to be aimed at Arsenal and Manchester United’s attempts to sign the striker.
While ruling out pushing for the full £84million release clause, Varandas made it clear he would not accept a lowball offer.
He explained in June, “I tried to take three days off, I came back yesterday. I saw so much information and counter-information that it is only fair to come and explain the process.
‘It started last year, when the season ended and Sporting became national champions. During the transfer market we saw that he was going to stay because there was no offer.
‘The agent spoke to us to add some clauses. Hugo Viana, as he always did, and very well, managed the relationship with the agents. This relational space is established with the sports director.
‘One of the agent’s biggest concerns was whether we would demand the termination clause. Hugo Viana negotiated with the agents over several meetings until the agent demanded the presence of the president.
‘At this meeting, which included the president, the agent and Viana, Gyokeres was not present. He wanted to guarantee certain things. And what was agreed? That Sporting would not demand a release clause now. For one reason: he was going to be 27 years old and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for 100 or 90 million euros.
‘In that same meeting, the agent wanted to anchor the exit to a value. I said this sentence: “It’s not worth us setting a value because I don’t know what will happen in a year’s time. I don’t know if it will be 40, 60 or 80. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand 100 million euros. From then on, I never spoke to the agent again, I never spoke to the player about departures or values.”
‘Now I see the agent in the press releasing information. I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has common sense and keeps its word. Gyokeres scored 63 goals and 10 assists. Fantastic performance. Certainly one of the best players to have ever stepped onto Portuguese turf. And Sporting will not demand the clause.
‘Now blackmail and insults, Sporting will not accept. One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept 60 million plus 10 [in add-ons]. As of today, Sporting has not received any proposal for Gyokeres.’*
Arsenal believe the Swedish forward can finally fill the void of a true number nine, with expectations high after his remarkable spell at Sporting, where he netted 97 goals across two seasons.
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