Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres believes that his release clause may have discouraged interested clubs from signing him this summer, but he has refused to rule out an exit in future transfer windows.
The 26-year-old was strongly linked with Premier League duo Arsenal and Chelsea over the summer following an exceptional 2023-24 debut campaign for Sporting, after leaving Coventry City in July last year.
Gyokeres scored 43 goals and provides 15 assists in 50 appearances for Sporting across all competitions last season to help the Portuguese giants win the Primeira Liga title.
The Sweden international has since made an electric start to the new campaign, netting seven goals in just four top-flight matches as Sporting sit pretty at the summit with a maximum 12 points.
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Gyokeres breaks his silence on transfer speculation
It was reported earlier in the summer that Arsenal scouts were 'very impressed' with Gyokeres after watching him in action for Sporting last season.
The Gunners were tipped to bolster their squad with a new centre-forward, but Mikel Arteta's side were allegedly unwilling to meet Gyokeres's €100m (£85m) release clause and eventually signed wide forward Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca's side were also in the market for a new striker, but they were unable to get a deal over the line for any of their top targets, including Victor Osimhen who has now joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli.
The likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were also credited with a summer interest in Gyokeres, who has now opened up on the transfer speculation surrounding his future.
Speaking to Sport Bladet, Gyokeres said: "They (Sporting) wanted most of the starting players to stay and held us tight. That's how it turned out, but I enjoy Sporting very much, so for me it was no problem to stay.
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Gyokeres refused to rule out future Sporting exit
"Of course. You want to play at the highest level. It (his €100m release clause) was probably a bit too much because nothing came of it. Of course it's a lot of money. But we'll see what happens next window.
"Nothing happened and it feels like I had a pretty good season. So yes, that's probably why there was simply no move. But that's what Sporting thinks I'm worth, and then you have to respect that.
"I enjoy myself very much in Sporting and can't complain about anything, so it's absolutely no problem for me to stay. Of course, you aim to test other leagues and a higher level, but I have no stress."
It is thought that clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea are still keeping tabs on Gyokeres, who is under contract at Sporting until the summer of 2028.
