In a sensational development, Manchester United are reportedly making a late attempt to hijack Arsenal’s pursuit of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, with reports from Portugal suggesting that the Red Devils are close to securing a deal with Sporting CP.
Arsenal's deal hits a snag
Arsenal had been leading the race to sign the 27-year-old forward, having reached a verbal agreement with Sporting for an initial fee of £55 million, supplemented by £8.6 million in performance-related add-ons.
However, negotiations have recently stalled over the structure of those add-ons, with Sporting pushing for terms they consider easier to trigger, a sticking point the Gunners have yet to resolve.
Manchester United seize the opportunity
According to multiple top Portuguese outlets, Manchester United have swiftly moved to take advantage of the impasse. SIC Noticias reported on Sunday that United are now on the verge of agreeing a deal with Sporting, with their offer believed to be on par with or slightly higher than Arsenal’s.
A Bola added further fuel to the speculation, stating that Gyokeres is increasingly leaning towards a reunion with his former manager Ruben Amorim, should he make the switch to Old Trafford. The publication claims that Arsenal’s silence over the past week has cast serious doubt on the transfer, causing Gyokeres to reconsider his options.
Player pushing for exit
Despite still favoring a move to north London, Gyokeres is reportedly growing impatient. The striker has not participated in Sporting’s pre-season training as he seeks to force an exit from the Portuguese champions.
This has left Sporting, Arsenal, and Manchester United in a tense standoff as the transfer window progresses.
Arsenal still in the lead?
While Record maintains that Gyokeres' preference remains Arsenal, they also suggest that Sporting may be using the media to pressure the Gunners into speeding up negotiations.
There is a strong belief that Arsenal are still favorites to secure the striker’s signature, despite United’s sudden interest.
Financial hurdles for Manchester United
Manchester United may face challenges in finalizing the deal, having already committed close to £140 million this summer on signings including Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Diego Leon. Although these acquisitions are structured through instalments, United’s limited budget, particularly without European competition may complicate their pursuit of Gyokeres.
As the saga unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal can close the deal or if Manchester United can pull off a late coup to bring Gyokeres to Old Trafford.