Highly-sought-after Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly ruled out a possible move to Nottingham Forest this summer.
Forest emerged as surprise candidates in the race for the Swedish frontman over the past week, with some of Europe's wealthiest clubs queuing up to compete for his signature.
Club owner Evangelos Marinakis has made it clear that his ambition is to take Forest to the very top of European football, and a signing such as this would have been a huge statement of intent, on top of potentially qualifying for the Champions League this season.
However, Forest fans will be disappointed at new reports that claim their club is not a realistic destination for the 26-year-old, who is almost certain to leave Sporting this summer.
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Forest 'out of the race' for Gyokeres
Florian Plettenberg, who first broke the news that there is a verbal agreement in place between Gyokeres and Sporting about allowing him to leave this summer, claims that one thing which is certain about the saga is that he will not end up at the City Ground.
The Sky Germany reporter revealed a few months ago that even though there is a €100m (£84m) release clause included in the Swede's contract, the club will allow him to leave for as little as €60m (£50m).
Gyokeres and Sporting turned down major interest from some huge clubs across the continent last summer, and in persuading him to stay, the club may well have agreed to allow him to move on this summer instead.
The striker has continued to perform at a high level, though, despite not getting a big move last year, netting 42 goals across all competitions, with Sporting still favourites to win the Primeira Liga title.
Despite losing in the final of the Taca da Liga, Gyokeres still found the net against Benfica, and they are set to be their opponents in the Taca de Portugal final too, if both make it through winnable semi-finals.
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Where is Gyokeres's most likely destination?
Even though Gyokeres is set to turn down one Premier League club, it is believed he has his heart set on a move back to English football for next season.
The attacker was brought to the British Isles by Brighton & Hove Albion from Brommapojkana in 2018, but was never used in the Premier League in his first 18 months at the club.
It was after a move to Coventry City when Gyokeres caught fire, but he turned down interest from some mid-table Premier League clubs to move to Sporting instead in 2023, a decision that has paid off immensely.
However, reuniting with former manager Ruben Amorim at Manchester United is not believed to be at the top of his priority list, as A Bola stated earlier this month that Gyokeres is favouring a move to one of Liverpool, Arsenal or Manchester City.
Gyokeres pulled out of Sweden duty this week, with the national team not in competitive action, but he should be back when Sporting make the short trip to Estrela on Saturday.
Andrew Delaney
