First Arsenal player breaks silence following claims Viktor Gyokeres could join Man Utd

An Arsenal player has commented on Viktor Gyokeres amid claims of Manchester United attempting to hijack Arsenal's move for the Sporting CP striker.

Gyokeres is Arsenal's priority striker target this summer and it looked as though a deal was progressing well, with personal terms thrashed out with ease and an agreement for a fixed £54.8 million fee between the clubs.

However, the two parties have not been on the same page when it comes to the nature of the £8.6 million performance-related add-ons in the deal.

Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas is demanding near, fixed and guaranteed add-ons" but Arsenal want the bonuses to be less achievable and so they have been at odds.

Given the situation, some reports claimed that United were trying to take advantage of the situation and swoop in for Gyokeres, who played under Ruben Amorim at Sporting.

However, A Bola say Gyokeres has turned down United and only has eyes for Arsenal in news that will please defender Gabriel Magalhaes, who talked up his ability after seeing him score 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting.

Viktor Gyokeres is Arsenal's No.1 target. Image: Getty

Arsenal came up against Gyokeres and Sporting last season in the Champions League, managing to stop him from scoring in a 5-1 trouncing at Estadio Jose Alvalade.

“For sure, when we played against him, it was a big challenge for us," Gabriel said in new interview with The Athletic.

“What we know now is that he’s a great player, who definitely had a great season last year."

It was claimed that Mikel Arteta was demanding that Gyokeres be on Arsenal's plane for their pre-season tour of Asia but a deal was not done in time.

But according to Simon Stone of the BBC, there is the feeling that United are in fact not looking to gazump Arsenal as he wrote there is a "strong sense" that United are "being used in a political game".

Sporting and Arsenal's difference of opinion explained

As explained by Sport Witness, Sporting's desired arrangement is to receive €2.5 million once Gyokeres makes 20 appearances, before another €2.5 million for another 20 games and €2.5 million if Arsenal qualify for the Champions League for the fourth season on the trot.

They would then be entitled to a further €2.5 million if Gyokeres makes another 20 appearances in 2026/27.

However Arsenal want a portion of the add-ons to be less achievable and that is why the deal has been held up.