Gyokeres makes decision on future as Man Utd chase Sporting striker

Rúben Amorim has been dealt a major blow in his summer transfer plans, with Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres reportedly set to snub a reunion with his former manager in favour of a move to rivals Arsenal.

The Swedish striker, who has been in scintillating form since Amorim’s departure from Sporting in November 2024, appears poised to break Manchester United hearts despite a £58.5m deal being agreed with the Portuguese champions.

Gyokeres, 26, has long been seen as the prime candidate to solve United’s goalscoring woes, having notched an astonishing 83 goals in 91 appearances under Amorim at Sporting, including 40 in 41 games this season alone.

With United’s current forwards Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee managing just 14 goals between them in 83 appearances, Amorim had earmarked his former protégé as the ideal signing to kickstart his Old Trafford rebuild.

Reports earlier this month suggested a £58.5m-£62.9m (€65m-€75m) agreement was in place for Gyokeres to join United, leveraging Amorim’s close ties with Sporting.

However, Express Sport understands that Gyokeres has his sights set on Arsenal instead, with Mikel Arteta’s side emerging as frontrunners to secure his signature.

Sources close to the player indicate that despite an “inevitable” exit from Sporting looming this summer, Gyokeres prefers a move to the Emirates, where he believes he can slot into a more settled and competitive squad challenging for the Premier League title.

Arsenal’s interest has been bolstered by incoming sporting director Hugo Viana, who knows Gyokeres well from his time at Sporting and is keen to bring the striker to north London.

The news will sting Amorim, who had hoped to lean on his successful past collaboration with Gyokeres to turn around United’s faltering season. The Red Devils sit 13th in the Premier League with nine games remaining, already out of both domestic cups and facing a must-win Europa League last-16 tie against Real Sociedad to keep their European hopes alive.

A proven goalscorer like Gyokeres was seen as critical to Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, but this latest twist leaves United scrambling for alternatives.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s minority shareholder and head of football operations under INEOS, has backed Amorim publicly but is pushing a youth-focused transfer strategy that could complicate big-money moves.

While the £58.5m fee for Gyokeres fits within United’s budget—especially with plans to offload up to 10 players, including Antony and Jadon Sancho—the loss of their top target to a rival could force a rethink.

Arsenal’s ability to offer Champions League football and a clearer path to trophies may have tipped the scales for Gyokeres, who is said to be unconvinced by United’s current trajectory.

Sporting, meanwhile, are resigned to losing their star man but will hold firm on their valuation, with Manchester City also reportedly in the mix as Viana prepares to take over from Edu. For United, the snub is a bitter pill, with Amorim now tasked with finding a Plan B to bolster an attack that has fired blanks all season.

“Viktor’s move feels inevitable, but it won’t be to United,” a source told Express Sport. “Arsenal have stolen a march, and Amorim’s left picking up the pieces.”