Manchester United are not alone in their pursuit for Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres this summer, as the Swedish forward has opened up about his links with Arsenal
Sporting's Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres speaks during a press conference
Viktor Gyokeres looks set to move on this summer(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres has kept his lips sealed about a potential move to the Premier League this summer.
The Swedish striker, who enjoyed an impressive 2024/25 with Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga, is currently one of the most sought-after stars as the summer transfer window rolls on. With 39 goals and eight assists across 33 appearances, Gyokeres helped Sporting secure both the league title and the Taca de Portugal this season.
And as a result, Manchester United - as well as the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid - have been linked with the 26-year-old. However, Gyokeres has kept his cards close to his chest regarding his future in the Portuguese capital.
Gyokeres recently enjoyed a cameo appearance on the Flymoduspod podcast, speaking to host Bernt Hulsker and former Coventry City team-mate Leo Ostigard via FaceTime. When asked by Hulsker about his plans for the summer transfer window and whether Arsenal, in particular, was a possible destination, Gyokeres responded: "We will see. Nobody knows anything yet. I wish I had a more fun answer, but that's all I can say for now."
As the call ended, Ostigard jokingly added: "Viktor! Great talking to you. See you soon, and text me when everything is signed and sorted down in Arsenal," to which, Gyokeres jokingly replied: "Yeah, yeah sure."
After suffering a 15th place finish in the Premier League this season, Ruben Amorim will look to completely overhaul the squad he inherited from Erik ten Hag back in November, reports the Mirror. And a striker may be at the top of the manager's list, given how hard the Red Devils were hit by their wastefulness in front of goal this term.
Rasmus Hojlund - who led the line for the most part of the season - managed just four goals from 33 appearances this season, while last summer's marquee signing Joshua Zirkzee found the back of the net just three times in the Premier League. Amad and Bruno Fernandes finished the season as the club's top scorers, with eight goals apiece to their name.
And while the United top brass have already secured the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5million - the club may look to further strengthen their forward line further with Gyokeres before the window winds down.
The pursuit of the Sporting CP talisman is set to be a challenging endeavour, however. United will not only face stiff competition from other top-flight English clubs and European outfits but are also aware that Sporting are unlikely to let their star player go for anything less than £60 million.
This would represent a significant gain for the Primeira Liga victors, who secured Gyokeres from Coventry for a mere £16.8m in the summer of 2023. Meanwhile, Sporting's manager Rui Borges recently spoke about Gyokeres' satisfaction at the club following a 2-0 victory against Vitoria Guimaraes.
Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers looks on during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Brentford FC at Molineux
Manchester United have already signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves
He told the media: "He is very happy here. He is very connected to the game, he wants to score and he is obsessed with it."
He added: "He is the best striker in Europe, as the numbers show. He will be attractive, but I believe that if he doesn't leave Sporting, he will remain very committed to the club. He feels very happy here."