Swedish striker prioritises London move as United and Juventus wait in the wings
LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 5: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Sporting CP and Manchester City at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 5, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Viktor Gyökeres has made it clear he wants to join Arsenal, despite interest from Manchester United and Juventus, with the Sporting CP striker continuing to push for a move to north London.
According to A Bola, Gyökeres has expressed a strong preference for Arsenal, and that position has effectively sidelined Manchester United’s pursuit for now. The report states United would only enter formal negotiations if Arsenal pull out of the race entirely, a scenario that is not on the table, with the Premier League runners-up preparing a fresh round of talks with Sporting next week.
Arsenal’s initial offer, a structured €55 million plus €10 million in bonuses (£54 million total), was not enough to move Sporting, who are reportedly holding out for €80 million (£67.5 million). However, the Gunners are expected to return to the table with improved terms. The Lisbon-based club have not yet received a formal bid meeting their asking price, but Jornal de Notícias reports another meeting has already been arranged between Arsenal and Sporting’s director general, Bernardo Palmeiro.
SOLNA, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 16: Alexander Isak of Sweden celebrates scoring his team's second goal with team mate Viktor Gyokeres and Ken Sema of Sweden during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League C Group C1 match between Sweden and Slovakia at the Strawberry Arena on November 16, 2024 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images
Sporting president Frederico Varandas has made it clear that he is not bound to the €100 million release clause but will not accept what he views as cut-price deals. Tensions have also escalated over a clause in Gyökeres’s contract, which would entitle his agent Hasan Cetinkaya to a 10 percent commission on any offer above €60 million, regardless of whether Sporting accept it.
That condition has hardened the club’s position, and if the clause is triggered, Sporting now threaten to revert to the €100 million release figure as the only negotiation point.
Andrea Berta, the club’s new sporting director, has been leading talks and remains in close contact with Gyökeres’s camp. The player’s desire to play in the Premier League, and specifically for Arsenal, remains central to the north London club’s confidence in reaching an agreement.
Sporting Lisbon's Swedish forward #09 Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring during the Portuguese League football match between Rio Ave FC and Sporting CP at the Rio Ave FC - Dos Arcos stadium in Vila do Conde, on February 25, 2024. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images
Juventus are monitoring the situation closely, while United, whose interest dates back to Rúben Amorim’s time at Sporting, are not expected to advance discussions unless Arsenal step away. Both clubs are aware of the forward’s stance and are reportedly reluctant to waste resources pursuing a player who, at present, is fully focused on a move to Arsenal.
There is cautious optimism at Arsenal that a deal can still be done. The coming week, which includes a second round of direct talks, could be decisive.
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