Arsenal-linked Viktor Gyokeres is open to a move to Manchester United even without Champions League football, it has been claimed. The 27-year-old is a top target for Mikel Arteta’s side after plunging 54 goals in 52 matches this season – a tally that helped Sporting CP win the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal.
However, there is a verbal agreement in place that would allow him to leave Sporting for £60million – around £25m less than his release clause – after staying for the 2024/25 campaign.
The Gunners are in the market for a new No.9 and Gyokeres is near the top of their shortlist. He is alongside RB Leipzig sensation Benjamin Sesko as part of Andrea Berta’s summer shopping plan.
And according to talkSPORT, Arsenal are debating whether to bid for Gyokeres or Sesko, at this stage. Gunners sporting director Berta is taking his time about which option to prioritise.
Sesko has been tracked for longer and was close to signing for Arsenal last summer, while Gyokeres has emerged as a target following his fine form for Sporting over the last couple of years.
If Arsenal do not formalise their interest in Gyokeres – who would be willing to join the Gunners – Manchester United could be set to enter the running. It’s reported that the Sweden international is open to making the switch to the Reds, even though they missed out on qualifying for the Champions League.
Any move for Gyokeres, however, would require player sales and formal talks with Sporting are not underway. Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho are among those United could sell.
United head coach Ruben Amorim would ‘relish’ to team up with Gyokeres again after spending time together at Sporting. Amorim brought Gyokeres to Portugal in a £16.7m move from Coventry.
Speculation surrounding his future comes as Gyokeres pulled out of the Sweden squad ahead of friendlies against Algeria and Hungary this month.
This sparked noise that Gyokeres might have opted out to prevent any injury that could impact a significant summer transfer. However, these rumours were quashed by Sweden boss John Dahl Tomasson.
“No!” Tomasson said. “He felt a small injury and our medical team was already aware of it and we decided, together, to release him,” adding, “I spoke to Viktor last week. He hasn’t trained much in the last few weeks and was feeling some discomfort because of a small injury.
“I was happy to see him and have him with us in this training camp. It says a lot about Viktor, how much he wants to get involved. We’re thinking about it [a replacement] and need to talk more about it. In a perfect world, we have all players available.”
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