Viktor Gyokeres’ next move remains one of the hottest stories of the summer transfer window, with Barcelona officially stepping back from the race. The Sporting CP forward has enjoyed a phenomenal run in Portugal, scoring 97 goals in 102 matches and helping his side to back-to-back Primeira Liga titles since arriving from Coventry in 2023.
Although several European giants are vying for the 26-year-old’s signature, Barcelona will not be among them. The club’s sporting director, Deco, confirmed that they aren’t targeting a new striker, citing Robert Lewandowski’s continued presence as the main reason. That clears a path for clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Juventus, and Napoli, all of whom have shown interest.
Arsenal are reportedly the most aggressive, having submitted a £58 million offer to Sporting and proposing a contract that would place Gyokeres among their highest earners. The Gunners are also eyeing RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, though that deal could be significantly costlier at nearly £100 million.
Manchester United are also heavily involved. New manager Ruben Amorim, who previously coached Gyokeres at Sporting, could play a key role in persuading the striker to join him at Old Trafford. Napoli have also entered the frame, with Antonio Conte keen to bring in firepower after their Serie A triumph.
Chelsea and Juventus are monitoring the situation closely, while Liverpool’s name continues to be floated. However, conflicting reports from bookmakers have made it difficult to pinpoint a favourite, with odds varying widely between Arsenal, United, and Liverpool.
Despite the speculation, Gyokeres remains non-committal. After sealing another league title with Sporting, the Swedish international told Sport TV that his future is still undecided and admitted no one can predict what will happen next.
Sporting, meanwhile, are in no rush to sell and will be looking to spark a bidding war to push the price up. With top clubs circling and the striker in a strong negotiating position, this saga looks set to dominate the summer headlines.