Viktor Gyökeres pushed back on the idea of 'player power' following high-profile transfers involving himself and Alexander Isak. Both strikers completed big-money moves to Arsenal and Liverpool after lengthy negotiations between clubs. Sporting's president criticised negotiation tactics and stated he would not accept 'blackmail and insults' before agreeing Gyökeres' deal. Isak signed for Liverpool on deadline day after declaring his desire to leave his former club. Gyökeres congratulated Isak but said players who are unwanted by a club have little influence and that clubs can 'literally do whatever they want.' He highlighted his on-field partnership with Isak and Sweden's aim to reach the World Cup.
Viktor Gyökeres has pushed back on the idea of "player power" after high-profile moves for himself and international teammate Alexander Isak during the transfer window. Both Sweden strikers had big moves to Arsenal and Liverpool respectively after lengthy negotiations between the clubs involved. The president of Gyökeres' now former club, Sporting, spoke out prior to agreeing a deal with Arsenal, saying he would not accept "blackmail and insults" in the negotiations surrounding his star striker. Isak signed for Liverpool on transfer deadline day after he, like Gyökeres, made clear his ambition to leave his then-current club.
Speaking after both players linked up with Sweden for the upcoming international window, Gyökeres said he "congratulated" his fellow striker for his big-money move to Liverpool. In response to a question on "player power," after both strikers pushed for their transfers, the Arsenal man said not everyone gets their way. "I congratulated Isak for the move," he said. "I don't really know the situation exactly, so it's difficult for me to speak about that. "When it's a player that is not wanted in a club I think it's the total opposite, he doesn't have any power, the club can literally do whatever they want."
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