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.

Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly turned down the chance to join Manchester United and has set his sights on a move to Arsenal instead.

Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres is said to be pondering going on strike in order to force through a move to the Premier League this summer, with his agent holding talks with Arsenal's owners