Viktor Gyökeres’ future remains one of the most hotly debated topics of the summer transfer season, with new developments coming today that could change the fight for his signature. The Swedish striker, who scored 43 goals for Sporting CP last season, is being keenly monitored by numerous European heavyweights, but Arsenal remains firmly in the lead—despite negotiations hitting a momentary stumbling block.
Manchester United, formerly considered a strong contender, appear to be falling out of the picture. While United has maintained constant communication with Sporting, they have yet to make a formal offer, and their absence from next season’s Champions League continues to work against them. Earlier this week, reports indicated Gyökeres had rejected a move to Old Trafford, but newer sources suggest he may still be open to joining United if a deal is reached. However, with United aggressively pursuing options such as Victor Osimhen, it appears unlikely that they will make a strong push for Gyökeres.
Arsenal, on the other hand, has held the lead for quite some time. Gyökeres is said to see the Gunners as his ultimate destination, and Mikel Arteta’s system is regarded to be a perfect fit for his style of play. However, discussions with Sporting have recently stopped. The Portuguese club has boosted their asking price to £60 million, leading Arsenal to temporarily halt negotiations. Despite this, the club is set to make another €70 million approach next week in an attempt to break the deadlock.
Juventus has now entered the game, heightening the intrigue. The Italian club is apparently willing to match Sporting’s valuation and offer Gyökeres a hefty contract, perhaps making them serious contenders. Although the player prefers to stay in the Premier League, Juventus’ cash package might complicate matters if Arsenal waits much longer. As of now, Gyökeres has not accepted to join any team, and the issue remains unsettled. Arsenal is still regarded as the favourite, but time is of the essential. With United fading and Juventus gaining traction, the coming week might be critical in determining where one of Europe’s most sought-after attackers will play next season.