Manchester United are among the clubs monitoring Viktor Gyokeres’ situation as his time at Sporting CP seems to be coming to an end
Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres could be on his way out of Sporting Clube de Portugal
(Image: Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres could be on his way out of Sporting Clube de Portugal, with reports linking the Swedish forward to a sensational switch to Arsenal amid links to Manchester United.
The striker is said to have set his sights on joining the Gunners, despite interest from his former manager Ruben Amorim. If he decides to issue a goodbye message to his current club, it could reveal a lot given the circumstances of his departure
Gyokeres is understood to be prepared to take drastic measures, including going on strike, due to his frustration with Sporting apparently reneging on a promise to let him leave for a lower fee. He has also reportedly declined opportunities to resolve the situation with the club.
This means his departure will be entirely different from his initial move to Sporting, where he signed in 2023 after a prolific spell with Coventry. His deep connection to Coventry was evident in his emotional farewell posted on the club's social media, where he expressed: "Hi, Viktor here. Where to start... It's been a fantastic journey the last two and a half years at Coventry City.
"We have been through a lot of different challenges and I just think we stuck together all the time.
"As a family, both players and staff, and of course the fans, and everyone else around the club, and I think we showed that, especially last season when we had a really difficult beginning of the season when we couldn't play any of the home games and were bottom of the table.
"And we still believed in the goals that we had to make the play-offs, and we worked really hard together and got the support from the fans and in the end we made it.
"And we made it all the way to the final as well. Of course, we didn't win as we all wanted and all dreamed of doing, but that's life. But I am just really grateful for all the memories that we made together and the friends I made in Coventry."
He continued: "The support from the fans has been unbelievable, the Sky Blue Army is something special and something I will never forget.
"I just wanted to thank the support I got from the gaffer, Adi (Viveash), Dennis (Lawrence), the help from Richard and Vinnie and everyone else around the club, all the players... It has been fantastic and I can't thank you enough for the time I have had with you.
"I think it's best that I stop doing this video now before I start to cry.
"It's been amazing and I just wanted to wish you all the best in the future and I hope I see you somewhere in the future, and thanks for everything."
Naturally, there's still a bit of groundwork to be done before any farewell message is issued, but supporters will undoubtedly be watching closely for Gyokeres' comments, given the acrimonious nature of his transfer saga.
Despite journalist Sacha Tavolieri claiming that Arsenal had agreed a five-year deal with Gyokeres' agent, Fabrizio Romano has boosted United's hopes of hijacking their Premier League rival's move.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the journalist said: "There are many rumours that a deal is getting closer between Arsenal and Sporting. I'm told that there are still no changes, no advance negotiations to get a deal done between the clubs. We know Gyokeres and Arsenal have been in discussions for weeks because he is one of the main targets but, at the minute, nothing has been done.
"The price has to be clarified before Arsenal can agree a deal with Sporting. The priority for Gyokeres would be to go to Arsenal because of their Champions League football, but he's never rejected Manchester United. The price is really important for United because now, the priority is on closing in the [Bryan] Mbeumo deal as soon as possible."
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