Manchester United transfer news as reports in Portugal drop worrying Viktor Gyokeres transfer decision claim
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Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP has been linked with Manchester United
Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP has been linked with Manchester United
(Image: Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Manchester United have been handed a massive blow in their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres after reports in Portugal claimed the striker has rejected a move to Old Trafford.
Gyokeres has been linked with a move to the Premier League since last summer after scoring goals for fun in Portugal. The 27-year-old has scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting and is said to have a gentlemen's agreement to leave the club for around £59million.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas has recently revealed that no such agreement exists, whereas Gyokeres' agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, has claimed he has proof of the alleged agreement.
Now, in a shock turn of events, Portuguese outlet Record are reporting that Gyokeres has turned down United and said no to the possibility of reuniting with Ruben Amorim.
The report claims that the striker's representatives have informed United's chiefs of his decision, which now leaves Arsenal as the favourites to land the Sweden international.
Gyokeres' decision comes after days of fall-out between him and Sporting CP. The striker posted on Instagram a message about the recent events, saying: "There is a lot of talks at the moment, most of it is false. I will speak when the time is right."
Should the report in Portugal be accurate, it means United are back to square one in their hunt for a new centre-forward. Gyokeres' reported rejection comes after Liam Delap decided against a move to Old Trafford to join Chelsea.
Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekitike are two players still available. Reports earlier this week claimed that United had reopened talks to land Osimhen, who recently turned down a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
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