Man Utd 'had agreement with Sporting' for Gyokeres but striker turned down deal

Manchester United reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Sporting Lisbon over the signing of Viktor Gyökeres, only for the Swedish striker to reject the move and instead complete a transfer to Arsenal.

Sources close to the negotiations claim that United had struck a deal worth over £64 million, surpassing Arsenal’s eventual fee, as Rúben Amorim looked to reunite with his former player at Old Trafford.

Gyökeres thrived under Amorim during their time together at Sporting, scoring 43 goals in all competitions last season.

However, despite the long-standing connection, Gyökeres turned down the opportunity, preferring a move to Arsenal due to Champions League football and the chance to work under Mikel Arteta.

Gyökeres’s representative, Jonathan Chalkias, accused Sporting of negotiating secretly with United and suggested the Lisbon club “used United’s bid to accelerate Arsenal’s offer,” reported the Mail.

Chalkias told Portuguese outlet Maisfutebol that Sporting “went behind our backs” and ignored his warnings about the player’s preference. He described the saga as “chaotic” and insisted United had been “genuinely serious” about the transfer.

Sporting president Frederico Varandas has since denied that any formal agreement was in place, dismissing claims that the club ever offered a fixed release figure of £59 million.

“There was no discount, no gentleman’s agreement,” Varandas said, adding that Gyökeres’s departure was handled “entirely on Sporting’s terms.”

For United, the episode represents another high-profile transfer setback. The club’s recruitment team had identified Gyökeres as a priority target to strengthen the attack ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Missing out on the goalscorer was a frustration compounded by Arsenal’s success in sealing the deal but for United they went instead for another quality forward in Benjamin Sesko who now has two goals in two games.

Ultimately, Gyökeres’ preference for Arsenal shows the difference between in the Champions League and not but his less than electric form for the Gunners suggests that United now don't have too much to worry about.