Viktor Gyokeres' girlfriend has vowed to try and convince him to stay at Sporting CP after a hefty transfer offer reportedly came in from Arsenal for the striker
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Ines Aguiar
Ines Aguiar has promised to convince boyfriend Viktor Gyokeres to remain at Sporting
(Image: inesvarzeaaguiar/Instagram)
Viktor Gyokeres' actress girlfriend Ines Aguiar has promised to persuade the forward to remain at Sporting CP amid interest from Premier League clubs.
Manchester United have been linked with the Swedish forward since Ruben Amorim left Sporting to take charge of the Red Devils in November. With United’s deficiencies up front clear for all to see, it was reported that Amorim would use his strong personal relationship with Gyokeres to sign him at the end of the 2024/25 season.
But those plans appear to have been dealt a huge blow. Reports from Portugal this week stated that representatives from rivals Arsenal flew out to Lisbon over the weekend to push ahead with their signing of the 26-year-old.
Gyokeres won and converted a crucial penalty during Sunday’s Taca de Portugal final against Benfica to send the game to extra-time, before Sporting defeated their bitter rivals 3-1. The Sweden international’s girlfriend, Ines Aguiar, was spotted in attendance wearing a Sporting jersey.
Aguiar, who is from Lisbon herself, was at one point swarmed by fans and was faced with questions about Gyokeres’ future. Portuguese outlet A Bola claims the social media influencer said in the viral social media clip that she “promises” to try to persuade her superstar boyfriend to stay with the club for a third season.
However, Correio da Manha reported on Tuesday that Arsenal bosses had travelled to Lisbon at the same time to meet with Gyokeres' representative regarding a potential transfer.
In a major blow to United’s hopes, the report claims the Gunners tabled a €70million (£58.66million) offer to the Portuguese champions, proposing a five-year contract to Gyokeres worth €7m (£5.8m) per-year, along with a €12, (£10.06m) signing bonus.
Like the Red Devils, Arsenal's search for a prolific striker has seen Gyokeres emerge as a top target, with Mikel Arteta’s title pursuit faltering this season due to a lack of firepower up top. While the Gunners have also been linked with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, it's understood that new sporting director Andrea Berta favours a move for Gyokeres.
Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring a goal for Sporting CP
Arsenal reportedly met with Viktor Gyokeres' representatives around the time he won the Portuguese Cup Final
As talks intensify, the question of whether Gyokeres is keen on a switch to the Emirates Stadium remains unclear. The forward, who boasts an impressive tally of 97 goals in 102 appearances over two campaigns for Sporting, played coy when asked about the Arsenal links ahead of Sunday’s final - but did not rule out a move.
The former Coventry City and Brighton man was asked to choose between London and Lisbon by A Bola in an attempt to bait him into revealing his summer transfer plans.
He responded: "I prefer Lisbon because I live here now. And yes, I like living here."
But it appears his loved ones are pushing for the Swede to stay put. Like his girlfriend, Gyokeres’ uncle, Chris, recently voiced his preference and claimed the family had decided in a meeting that he would not leave this summer.
Wearing a Sporting scarf and jersey on the same day that Gyokeres found the net to seal the Liga Portugal title for Sporting, Chris began by saying: "I'm super happy, this is amazing. We were here last year, it's the same spirit, the same people, the same atmosphere. Absolutely fantastic! Beyond words!"
Chris said when questioned if they felt a connection to Sporting: “Yes, very much... yesterday at dinner we decided that he has to stay.”
Viktor Gyokeres and Ruben Amorim
It appears that Ruben Amorim will not reunite with the striker at Manchester United
And when asked whether Gyokeres will stay at the club this summer, he replied: “Yes, we think so.”
Gyokeres himself was later asked about those remarks but played them down, stating: "They [his family] really like Portugal; I think they want to be here and enjoy the city, the good weather, and all the atmosphere.
“But it's football and that's another thing. We'll see what happens. Yes [I would like to win a third title with Sporting], but we'll see. I don't know what will happen in the summer... let’s see what happens."
It appears that, barring any major U-turns from Arsenal or Gyokeres' camp, United are set to miss out on the Swede. Recent reports suggest Amorim has shifted his focus towards signing Ipswich Town's £30m striker, Liam Delap, and Wolves' Matheus Cunha.
Cunha is set to be the first addition in Amorim's rebuild at United following their worst season in 51 years. Personal terms are thought to have been agreed with a five-year contract said to be ready for the player to sign.
An official bid, which will trigger the Brazilian's release clause, hasn't yet been submitted by United but it's expected that Cunha will become one of the first players through the door this summer.