Viktor Gyokeres is one the most in-demand players in the world and his transfer saga involving Arsenal has taken another twist.
Gyokeres is set to leave Sporting after another sensational season at the club, netting 54 goals in all competitions, as he lifted the Portuguese league title for the second season in a row.
The 27-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League with Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea named as potential suitors for the former Coventry City striker.
A re-union with former manager Ruben Amorim seemed like the ideal scenario but following their Europa League final defeat and a dismal Premier League campaign, Gyokeres reportedly rejected the chance to move to Old Trafford and is instead prioritising a move to Mikel Arteta’s side.
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However, the transfer saga took yet another twist on Sunday leaving Gyokeres’ next destination up in the air.
Portuguese outlet Record claimed Arsenal were the first club to submit an official bid for the forward last week but have now put the transfer on ‘ice’.
They now believe the deal is ‘frozen’ with Arsenal cooling their interest as Sporting are unwilling to accept a bid worth less than €80 million (£68m).
The Gunners’ first bid was €55m with €10m in add-ons and are unwilling to bid any higher which has plunged the deal into doubt.
It’s claimed Arsenal have now switched their attention back to signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig but could also target Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins who are seen as attainable for a much lower price than Gyokeres.
Who will sign Viktor Gyokeres?
Arsenal's apparent u-turn on signing the Sweden international leaves the forward's next destination hard to predict.
It's been reported the striker has rejected the chance to reunite with Amorim but United will no doubt remain interested in the forward for as long as he's on the market. However, a lack of Champions League football seriously harms their chances with other huge sides still in the race for his signature.
Chelsea are another Premier League side club who have been linked with a move but signing Liam Delap from Ispwich Town suggests the former Man City man will be their starting striker next year.
That leaves Liverpool as another contender with a striker still believed to be on Arne Slot's wish list after winning the Premier League title. Slot is currently focused on wrapping up deals for Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez but the Merseyside club are expected to move for a striker later in the window once the futures of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have been resolved. However, Gyokeres' age could be a deciding factor with Liverpool reluctant to hand out long-term contracts to players over the age of 30 with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah being the exception to the rule.
Juventus are strong suitors while Saudi Pro League clubs also remain in the mix.
Topics: Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal, Transfer News, Football, Premier League, Sporting Lisbon
Marcus Banks