Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, after an astonishing 54-goal season, is at the center of an intense transfer battle involving Arsenal, Manchester United, and Juventus. The Swedish forward, who made a huge leap from Coventry City in 2023, quickly rose to become one of Europe’s most prolific scorers and helped Sporting clinch the Portuguese title.
Arsenal and Manchester United were initially the frontrunners for Gyokeres, whose contract includes an £84m release clause—though a fee closer to £70m might be enough to trigger a deal. Despite both Premier League clubs expressing strong interest, negotiations with Sporting have hit a frustrating stalemate, reportedly leaving Arsenal disillusioned with the prolonged talks.
Meanwhile, Juventus are ready to capitalize on the uncertainty. The Serie A club, according to reports, have already drawn up a lucrative contract offer worth £11 million annually for the 27-year-old. However, any serious move from Juventus would likely require them to offload Dusan Vlahovic, who is currently being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
Gyokeres has already turned down an approach from Al Hilal, but there’s a chance he could reconsider a Saudi move if European options fall through. Staying at Sporting for another season seems unlikely, with reports suggesting the striker is growing increasingly frustrated with the club’s handling of his situation.
Mikel Arteta remains in search of a proven striker, and with Arsenal having ended another season without silverware, the Gunners are pushing for reinforcements up front. Benjamin Sesko remains another option for Arteta, but Gyokeres is seen as a more explosive and immediate solution.
While Arsenal seemed in pole position at one point, Manchester United haven’t bowed out. Despite finishing 15th in the Premier League and missing out on Champions League football, new boss Ruben Amorim, who coached Gyokeres at Sporting, would relish a reunion at Old Trafford.
Gyokeres himself has stayed relatively quiet, dismissing most reports as false but promising to speak when the time is right. Football pundits, including Rio Ferdinand, believe the striker must push harder to secure his desired move. Gyokeres’ social media activity hints at impatience with Sporting’s reluctance to finalize a transfer.
As Juventus prepare an official bid in excess of £60m, Arsenal and United face fresh competition not only from Turin but potentially from Saudi Arabia as well. With the summer transfer window heating up, Gyokeres’ next destination remains one of the key stories to watch.