However, Juventus, the Italian club, have recently tried to intervene in the deal. Reports from Italy suggest that the Serie A heavyweights are prepared to offer Gyokeres an impressive £11million-per-year contract to reject Premier League interest and relocate to Turin.

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.

Contract offer 'prepared' amid Manchester United talks and Arsenal preference - Striker is in-demand following a sensational goalscoring season