Arsenal take next step in Viktor Gyokeres transfer chase as Man Utd put on red alert

Sporting CP and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres continues to be linked with a Premier League switch, with Arsenal and Manchester United the two clubs in the hunt

Viktor Gyokeres remains a Sporting CP player for the time being, but Arsenal are stepping up their pursuit. A representative for the Sweden international has met with the Gunners’ ownership, it has been claimed, but fellow suitors Manchester United can’t yet be ruled out.

Gyokeres starred for Sporting over the past two campaigns, and scored twice as many goals as any other player in last season’s Primeira Liga. He is one of two men high on Arsenal’s shipping list, along with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, as Mikel Arteta’s team chases an elusive title after three successive runner-up finishes.

Arsenal can offer the former Coventry City hotshot a chance to play for a Champions League contender, with Arteta having led his team to the semi-finals last season. Premier League rivals United can’t match that, but they could yet tempt Gyokeres with a reunion with former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim in Manchester.

Now, according to Portuguese outlet Record, Gyokeres’ representative Hasan Cetinkaya has met with Arsenal’s owners. The publication describes the meeting as the start of a “new phase” in negotiations and anticipates a formal proposal.

The same outlet makes reference to comments from Sporting president Frederico Varandas that – as of Wednesday morning – a formal offer from Arsenal had yet to arrive. It also points to reports elsewhere on the continent that United remain keen on a deal and have remained in contact with representatives for Gyokeres.

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Gyokeres has a significant release clause in his contract, but suitors might not need to meet it despite his impressive return of 54 goals in 52 games this season. Back in April, it was claimed that around £60million should be enough to land the Scandinavian.

That number comes down to a reported agreement between the player and his current club. Gyokeres is even said to be prepared to go on strike to force through a move, amid reports Sporting are keen to hold out for £67m.

The 27-year-old frontman is also the subject of interest from the Saudi Pro League, but is believed to favour Champions League football with Arsenal. He scored six times in eight appearances in the competition in the 2024-25 season, including a hat-trick in a famous win for Sporting against Manchester City.

Gyokeres also found some goalscoring form for Sweden in the most recent UEFA Nations League campaign, scoring nine goals in just six outings. He withdrew from his country’s squad for June’s friendly matches, though, as did a number of Premier League players including Alexander Isak and Anthony Elanga.

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