Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres will leave Portugal in the summer transfer window, but his destination remains uncertain, with Manchester United and Arsenal in competition
Manchester United and Arsenal have suffered a blow with a third club now in the race to sign Viktor Gyokeres in the summer transfer window. Sporting Lisbon striker Gyokeres is set to be one of the most sought-after players when the window opens on June 1.
The Sweden international has registered 43 goals and 11 assists in 43 games across all competitions for Sporting this season. The Portuguese side know they cannot hold onto him much longer and are said to have agreed to sell him for below his release clause as a thank you for his outstanding service.
It’s believed he will be available for around £50-60million – substantially less than his reported £83.6m release clause. United manager Ruben Amorim worked with Gyokeres at Sporting and is understandably keen to recruit him at Old Trafford, where goals have been hard to come by.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are ready to splash the cash on a top-quality centre-forward after injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus played a part in their Premier League title push falling short.
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The Gunners have hired ex-Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta to lead their pursuit of a striker, with Gyokeres understood to be topping the list ahead of RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
However, it won’t be a straight shoot-out between the two Premier League giants, with The Sun reporting that Al Qadsiah are ready to pay above the asking price for Gyokeres. The Saudi Pro League side – who already employ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – believe they can compete because they will pay more up front, rather than spread the cost out in instalments.
The emergence of Saudi sides has caused a ripple in the market, with the money available in the Middle East having knock-on effects. It remains to be seen whether Gyokeres will be tempted by the offer from Saudi Arabia, given he is 26 years old and on the brink of the most important move in his career.
Gyokeres reportedly has his heart set on a move to a major European giant, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG or Bayern Munich listed as potential destinations in recent reports. While the prospect of working with Amorim again could give United an edge, their current lowly position of 13th in the Premier League – and therefore lack of Champions League football next season – could count against them.
Speaking earlier this year, he admitted that he hopes to play for “one of the best teams in Europe” soon. But there will be a balancing act this summer between Gyokeres’ wishes and Sporting’s desire to secure the biggest transfer fee possible.
The Portuguese club posted a net loss of £15m on transfers in their most recent accounts and know that players like Gyokores don’t come along often.
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