MEDICAL ONGOING: Player currently undergoing medical to join Arsenal as Gunnners close to announce first summer transfer signing
Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres continues to find himself at the centre of transfer talk this summer with Arsenal linked.
Arsenal and Manchester United transfer target Viktor Gyokeres has withdrawn from international duty with Sweden this week as transfer rumours continue to swirl about the talisman.
The 26-year-old still has another three years on his contract with the Portuguese club but is expected to complete a move to the Premier League. Gyokeres has previously played in the Championship for Coventry City but never taken on the top flight. Having plundered 39 goals in 33 Liga Portugal outings last term, the striker is thought to be keen to move to one of the continent’s biggest leagues.
There is also reported interest from Atletico Madrid with the La Liga giants looking to back Diego Simeone this summer but a more likely option appears to be the Premier League. Arsenal and Manchester United are thought to be the two frontrunners to broker a deal.
Viktor Gyokeres withdraws from Sweden international duty
Sweden are due to face Hungary on Friday night and Algeria on Tuesday evening in international friendly action. However, in a move that has sparked transfer talk, Gyokeres will not take part in those matches.
The reason for that withdrawal is a minor injury but, as ever with last minute international fitness decisions, that reasoning can be taken with a degree of cynicism. The Mirror reports that the ‘reality’ is that the withdrawal is to avoid any injury that could be detrimental to ‘the biggest transfer of his career’.
The outlet also backs up that Arsenal and Manchester United are the closest to completing a £60 meal deal for Gyokeres. At one point, it had been reported that the Gunners had agreed that deal but rumours have since suggested that RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko could be the number one priority.
Manchester United and Arsenal still battling for Sporting CP bagsman
Chelsea had also been linked with the player but have since splurged £30 million on Liam Delap from Ipswich Town in that position. Barcelona are also said to have ruled themselves out of the race. Interest from the Red Devils remains having missed out on that Delap transfer themselves.
Manchester United do have a slight advantage thanks to manager Ruben Amorim. The coach worked closely with Gyokeres at Sporting, helping to create the goalscoring monster he is today. The striker’s agent has also spoken of the bond between the player and manager, which could point to a move to Old Trafford.
Gyokeres was asked about his future at the end of the Sporting season and said: “Let’s see. It’s hard for me to say, because yeah it is football and you never know what’s going to happen in the summer. So for me to say anything else than that is impossible.
“I don’t know [about Arsenal interest], I just focus on this. I’ve tried to focus on the last games because it’s so important and I don’t want to think about anything else. So yeah, if anything is true, let’s see in the summer.”
In other news, Arsenal and Liverpool dealt £40m transfer blow as ‘exceptional’ player in talks to quit Emirates Stadium.
