Man Utd and Arsenal are both keeping their options open as they look to sign a striker this summer.
Viktor Gyokeres will prioritise a move to Arsenal in the summer transfer window as Manchester United continue to keep tabs on the Sporting striker. Ruben Amorim has requested the addition of a proven goalscorer to his first-team squad, with Gyokeres viewed as a dream addition to the squad.
The Sweden international netted 54 goals in 52 appearances as Sporting won a league and cup double last season, with his best football under the guidance of former manager Amorim before he left for Old Trafford. A reunion with Gyokeres this summer always felt unlikely, though things could quickly change if a move to Arsenal does not materialise.
Fabrizio Romano has reiterated the 27-year-old would rather move to North London this summer, though he might not have it his way if Mikel Arteta makes a move for RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko instead. Here is the latest update on the Sporting forward.
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Viktor Gyokeres transfer latest
Manchester United have not given up hope of a summer move for Viktor Gyokeres despite the expectation he will move elsewhere in the transfer window. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims the situation is still 'open' and the Sporting star has 'not rejected anything' as he considers all his options.
"At the moment the situation is open, he has not rejected anything," Romano wrote in his GIVEMESPORT newsletter. "Only giving priority to Arsenal, but club to club, let’s see."
The defining factor could be his price tag, with an element of uncertainty surrounding how much Sporting will demand to sell their striker this summer. Last week, Sporting president Frederico Varandas hit back at claims the Portuguese club promised Gyokeres he could leave for just €60 million, though he insisted the forward would be allowed to leave for less than his €100m release clause.
“It starts last year, when the season ends and Sporting becomes national champion," he said. "During the transfer market, we saw that he would stay because there wasn’t any offer. The agent spoke with us, to add some clauses. Hugo Viana, as he always did, and very well, managed the relationship with the agents. That relational space is handled by the sporting director. One of the agent’s main concerns was whether we would demand the release clause. Hugo Viana was negotiating with the agents, over several meetings, until the agent demanded the presence of the president. In that meeting, where the president, the agent, and Viana were present, Gyökeres was not there, he wanted to ensure certain things.
“And what was agreed? That Sporting would not demand the release clause now. For one reason: he was turning 27, and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for 100 or 90 million. In that same meeting, the agent wanted to tie the departure to a value. I said this phrase: ‘There’s no point in setting a value because I don’t know what will happen in a year. I don’t know if it will be 40, 60, or 80. What I can guarantee is that I won’t demand 100 million euros.
“From that point on, I never spoke with the agent again, nor with the player about departures or values. Now I see the agent spreading information in the press. I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has common sense and keeps its word. Gyökeres scored 63 goals, 10 assists. Fantastic performance. Surely one of the best players to ever step on Portuguese pitches. And Sporting will not demand the clause. But blackmail, insults, Sporting will not tolerate. One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept 60 million plus 10. As of today, Sporting has not received any offer for Gyökeres."
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