Viktor Gyokeres future hint emerges after Sporting CP 'decision' and Manchester United links

Sporting Clube de Portugal have reportedly given Viktor Gyokeres permission to return to pre-season training later than originally scheduled, amid ongoing speculation over his future at the club.

Gyokeres feels the Portuguese giants have gone back on their word after a gentleman's agreement was made between him and the club last year, allowing him to leave for £59million. But last month, president Frederico Varandas dismissed those claims which is thought to have left Gyokeres furious at the handling of the transfer situation.

On Saturday, Portuguese newspaper A Bola suggested that Sporting might now be open to negotiating the €80m asking price with 'realistic variables', hinting at a possible €70m (£60m) upfront payment with an additional €10m (£8m) in performance-related bonuses.

Sporting players are scheduled to return for pre-season training on Monday, July 7, the original date set for the Swedish striker's return. However, new reports from Portugal indicate that Gyokeres will not be joining them.

Instead, he is now expected to return on July 11 – just a day before the squad travels to the Algarve for their training camp.

However, there is uncertainty about whether the striker will return at all, as Portuguese newspaper Record reports that Gyokeres is 'determined not to return.'

They also mention that the player's 'decision' has been communicated to Varandas, despite the Lions postponing the return date from July 7 to July 11.

Gyokeres is believed to favour a move to the Premier League amid links to Manchester United and Arsenal. He has already turned down lucrative offers from Al Hilal and Al Qadisiyah, both of whom were willing to offer him millions.

Record has also reported that Sporting have already identified a