Viktor Gyokeres has withdrawn from the Sweden squad for its forthcoming fixtures amid intense speculation about his future.
Gyokeres had a successful stint with Sporting Lisbon, ending the season with two medals and is now set to depart Portugal in a high-profile move this summer.
After netting 53 goals and providing 13 assists in just 51 appearances for Sporting during the 2024/25 season, aiding his club in clinching both league and cup titles, the ex-Coventry City sensation has sparked interest from Arsenal and Manchester United and is anticipated to be transferred for approximately £60million during the summer transfer period.
Gyokeres was scheduled to represent Sweden in upcoming friendlies against Hungary and Algeria. However, he has excused himself from the national squad due to a minor injury that needs addressing.
In reality, it's probable that Gyokeres and Sweden’s manager Jon Dahl Tomasson, along with the coaching staff, have taken a deliberate cautious stance.
With the potential transfer of his life on the horizon, risking an injury in a friendly match is something Gyokeres can ill afford.
Maintaining discretion on his future plans, Gyokeres provided only a cryptic comment when speaking with Leo Ostigard, his old companion at Coventry, during a video call on the Flymodus podcast.
Answering a query about joining Arsenal, Gyokeres remarked: "No, we will see. Nobody knows anything yet. I wish I had a more fun answer but that is all I can say for now.", reports the Mirror.
Mirror Football has gleaned that Arsenal are confident of signing Gyokeres, provided they meet Sporting's £60m valuation. The North London club is prepared to pay the 26 year old more than £200,000 per week to bring a top-quality striker on board, having been without one in the last three seasons, which saw them finish second in the Premier League.
Barcelona have backed out of the competition for Gyokeres, with United still showing interest, particularly after they missed out on a £30m deal for Liam Delap, who appears set to sign with Chelsea.
United's gaffer Ruben Amorim, familiar with Gyokeres from his tenure at Sporting, is keen on a reunion although their absence from European football next season might hinder negotiations.
When quizzed about his future following Sporting's season finale, Gyokeres remarked: "Let's see," also adding, "It's hard for me to say, because yeah it is football and you never know what's going to happen in the summer. So for me to say anything else than that is impossible."
Probed about interest from Arsenal, he said further: "I don't know, I just focus on this. I've tried to focus on the last games because it's so important and I don't want to think about anything else. So yeah, if anything is true, let's see in the summer."