Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, and it appears his Sporting CP teammates are resigned to losing him.
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Viktor Gyokeres' Sporting CP teammates seem to have come to terms with the fact that he may not be with them for the 2025/26 season, amid speculation linking the striker with a move to the Premier League.
The Sweden international is expected to finalise a move during the summer transfer window, with Arsenal said to be leading the race for his services while Manchester United have also been heavily linked.
An agreement regarding his future, which allows him to leave for a set fee, was reportedly reached with his club earlier this year.
His release clause is set at £84.4 million (€100m), but reports suggest he could potentially depart for just £60m. Given both United and Arsenal's need for a striker, the prospect of signing one who has scored 53 goals in 51 appearances at such a price could be hard to resist.
United are desperate to add to Ruben Amorim's attacking options and Matheus Cunha is expected to move to Old Trafford from Wolves, while Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap is also a target.
French outlet L'Equipe reported this week that United will push ahead with a move for Gyokeres after Wednesday's Europa League final against Tottenham.
For Arsenal, Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are other options, but sporting director Andrea Berta is said to be a big fan of Gyokeres.
Sporting's latest triumph came this past Saturday when a 2-0 victory over Vitoria secured them the Portuguese league championship on the final day for the second consecutive season.
After the dramatic win, Sporting still have one match left to play - a cup final against Benfica this weekend, reports our sister title football.london.
In light of this, several players have been speaking to the media, with Gyokeres' future being a recurring topic of discussion.
"I did and so did the whole squad," Pedro Goncalves disclosed when questioned if he had encouraged Gyokeres to remain at the club. "He says he's not a fortune teller.
"We still have the Portuguese Cup against Benfica to play. I have a very good relationship with him, but I don't talk about it with him."
Francisco Trincao also weighed in on Gyokeres' situation during his appearance on Manhas da Comercial. Amidst discussing their tough season following Amorim's departure to United, he humorously suggested that to keep the forward at the club, he would, "try to lock Gyokeres in the gym".
The light-hearted confession indicates a sense of resignation that Gyokeres may be playing his last match for Sporting in the upcoming cup final.
Premier League champions Liverpool have also been associated with Gyokeres, as manager Arne Slot looks to fill the void for an elte No. 9.
Following Sporting's win over Vitoria, Gyokeres addressed speculation about his future, stating: "It's football, I'm still here.I don't know what's going to happen. Nobody can predict the future."