Viktor Gyokeres gives verdict on Alexander Isak saga
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Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak were at the center of high-profile transfer sagas this summer, securing moves to Arsenal and Liverpool, respectively after tense standoffs with their former clubs.
At Sporting CP, Gyokeres refused to take part in pre-season preparations and even went on strike to force through his switch to the Emirates.
His determination paid off, with the deal completed before the start of the campaign.
Isak’s situation at Newcastle was equally strained.
The Sweden international made it clear he would not play for the Magpies again as he pushed for a move to Anfield.
Unlike Gyokeres, however, his transfer dragged on until deadline day.
The 25-year-old was left out of Newcastle’s pre-season tour and trained separately from the first-team squad until the move was finalised.
They were not the only players to adopt such measures.
Brentford forward Yoane Wissa also trained away from his teammates over the summer before successfully sealing a switch to Newcastle.
These cases have reignited debate around player power in football, with stars increasingly taking drastic steps to engineer transfers.
On international duty this week, Gyokeres was asked about the issue as he prepares for Sweden’s upcoming matches against Slovenia and Kosovo.
He has now linked up with his compatriot Isak, who joined the national team camp later than planned following the completion of his transfer.
“I haven’t spoken with him too much because he’s just come.
I said hi to him and congratulated him for the move and not so much more,” Gyokeres said when asked about Isak.
“Yeah, I said earlier about my situation, it can be the same.
“You don’t know what has been going on behind [the scenes].
I don’t know in his case what has gone on exactly so it’s difficult for me to speak about that.
“We all play and the clubs have the most power.
It is maybe difficult for the players to choose in a lot of cases.
“When it is a player who is not wanted in that club I think it’s the total opposite, He doesn’t have any power, the club can literally do whatever they want with the player.
“It’s difficult but it’s how the situation is.”
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