Swedish police are investigating possible links between Arsenal’s £64 million signing of striker Viktor Gyokeres and a double shooting at the home of a relative of a football agent involved in the transfer.
The incident occurred in Huddinge, near Stockholm, where two shots were fired at the property. No one was injured, but investigators are examining whether the attack and an alleged blackmail attempt are connected to the high-profile deal.
According to reports, the relative linked to an agent who had connections with the transfer had allegedly boasted about receiving a share of the multi-million-pound signing fee. This is thought to have led to claims that he was being “pressured for money” in a blackmail bid.
Frederico Varandas, president of Gyokeres’ former club Sporting Lisbon, said before the deal was finalised that “blackmail and insults” would not influence negotiations. The Swedish international signed a five-year contract with Arsenal after a prolonged transfer battle, with reports that he had considered going on strike over a fee dispute.
Per Engström, section chief at the Swedish police’s operational department, said criminals have increasingly targeted football agencies because of the large sums involved, often using young people to carry out acts of intimidation or blackmail.
An agent representing Gyokeres said the shooting “has nothing to do with me or football” but acknowledged that the industry is “very vulnerable” to such incidents.