In recent years, we’ve seen a growing trend of players going on strike or falling out with their clubs to force moves. While I’m not someone who usually supports such actions, the increasing number of broken agreements between club management and players is both disappointing and harmful to the game. When a player gives their word to stay for a period with the promise that they’ll be allowed to leave under certain conditions, it’s only fair that the club respects that understanding when the time comes.
Take the latest case involving Sporting Lisbon and Viktor Gyökeres, for example. If reports are to be believed, there was a gentleman’s agreement that the player could leave for the right price. Now, with Arsenal reportedly going as high as €65 million plus €15 million in add ons, which definitely surpasses the agreed €60 million plus €10 million in add ons between them, it’s baffling that Sporting is still dragging their feet. If such an agreement existed, this delay only breeds distrust and sets a poor example for how clubs should treat their players.
We've seen this sort of drama play out before, most recently with Kylian Mbappé and PSG. A year before he eventually joined Real Madrid, PSG reportedly blocked his move despite him wanting a fresh challenge. That decision only resulted in him running down his contract and walking away for free, leaving the club without compensation. Imagine a player of Mbappe's quality being signed on a bosman. That's ridiculous. When clubs act in bad faith, players naturally begin to look out solely for themselves, even if it means walking away at the end of their deals.
Clubs must understand that players are not just assets; they are professionals with careers and ambitions. If clubs continue to backtrack on promises or block reasonable exits after mutual agreements, they will create a culture of distrust. And when trust is lost, loyalty dies. Players will increasingly opt to run down their contracts, putting clubs at a financial and reputational disadvantage.
In the end, it’s about respect. If a club wants loyalty, they must first show integrity. Honour the spoken and written agreements. Do what’s fair. Because in this modern football era, if clubs don't start doing better, the cycle of strikes, walkouts, and free transfers will only worsen, and no one wins in that game.