Manchester United's aim to sign Viktor Gyokeres has already hit choppy waters, with the Sporting striker reportedly preferring to join Arsenal (not to mention the rumored interest from Liverpool).
United are still in the mix, but Sporting president Frederico Varandas sent the club a blunt message, and it felt bizarrely personal.
"If you ask me today, there is a strong possibility that Viktor will leave," Varandas said, according to A BOLA. "In the last few weeks, we have been keeping an eye on the market, I saw a player like Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, go to Arsenal for €65 million. I saw two players being sold in the Premier League – Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo – forwards who do not have the quality of Viktor, in my opinion, were sold for around €75 million."
Is it a coincidence that Varandas named signings specifically made by United and Arsenal, the two clubs with reported interest in Gyokeres?
Sporting are clearly taking a strong stance on Gyokeres. He can leave, but teams must pay top money to sign him. And that's reasonable. They should make it difficult for clubs to sign him — he netted 54 goals in 52 appearances last season, including six goals in eight Champions League contests.
It's why Gyokeres is receiving interest from several European clubs.
Sporting president sends a clear message to Man United about Viktor Gyokeres price tag
What will it take to sign Gyokeres? The issue Sporting have is that the player has made his intentions clear. He wants to leave.
The issue for Man United? Sporting don't have to sell him unless a team meets their valuation, and it doesn't help that multiple clubs are interested.
It's beginning to feel more and more of a long shot that Gyokeres heads to Old Trafford.
Along with his reported preference to join Arsenal, Sporting's asking price may make a deal difficult for Ruben Amorim's team. Can they afford to open the checkbook again for a transfer fee higher than what they paid for Cunha and Mbeumo? It's tough.
But the rewards could be huge.
While Gyokeres doesn't have Premier League experience, he scored 38 goals in his final two seasons for Coventry City in the Championship. It's not Premier League football, but it does go a long way to showing he can thrive in a league built on high pace and physical play. It suits his game.
That's why Sporting can demand such a significant fee. Gyokeres scores goals. Lots of goals.
United need a striker to help them get back into contention, but Sporting have made it clear how difficult signing Gyokeres may prove to be.