Portuguese media have identified Manchester United as one of five clubs vying to sign Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP this summer.
United are actively looking to strengthen their squad with a new striker, and Gyökeres — who previously played under Ruben Amorim at Sporting — is high on their list of targets.
However, a complication arose when Sporting president Frederico Varandas backed out of a gentleman’s agreement with the player, which would have allowed him to leave for €60 million plus €10 million in add-ons (£51m + £8.5m). Instead, Sporting now insist on his full €100 million release clause. As a result, Gyökeres’ agent has reportedly informed Manchester United that the striker prefers a move to Arsenal.
Despite this, United are still considered to be in the running, according to A Bola (page 16 of today’s edition). The Portuguese outlet claims that, alongside Arsenal, Juventus, Saudi club Al-Ahli, and La Liga side Atlético Madrid are also pursuing the prolific Swedish forward.
Varandas has now set a firm asking price of €80 million for Gyökeres, with A Bola stating that Sporting will not negotiate below that figure. Arsenal’s initial offer came in significantly lower, around €55 million plus bonuses.
Juventus appear the most willing to meet the price, but only if they sell Dusan Vlahovic — who is also of interest to United. Their potential offer would be €70 million plus €10 million in add-ons.
Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid, Al-Ahli, and Manchester United are watching developments closely and are described as being in the “second tier” of interested clubs.
Arsenal face a decision: match Sporting’s asking price or switch focus to their original target, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško. If they opt for Šeško, the pressure shifts to Juventus. Yet even if Juventus offload Vlahovic, they may still prefer other options such as Victor Osimhen or Jonathan David.
In a scenario where both Arsenal and Juventus back out, United could find themselves back in contention. Still, uncertainties remain: whether United are willing to meet the €80 million price, if Gyökeres would reconsider his stance, and whether United still want him after being rejected. Atlético and Al-Ahli also remain in the picture.
As it stands, United’s prospects of signing the former Coventry City striker are slim. While they’re technically still in the race, their chances are hanging by a thread.
