"Unstoppable" £51m star now wants "dream" move to Arsenal after rejecting Man Utd - report

Arsenal have the advantage over Manchester United in the race to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, according to Portuguese outlet Record.

The Gunners struggled in the final third during the 2024/25 season. They finished 10 points behind champions Liverpool after 14 stalemates.

The club are poised to pursue a marquee striker this summer, and Record report that Sporting CP star Gyokeres has given the green light to join them.

In today’s update, the publication highlight that the 27-year-old has said no to manager Ruben Amorim and the Red Devils through his representative.

The Swede is not convinced by a move to Old Trafford and feels there is a ‘greater sporting risk’. He has literally closed the door on joining the Red Devils.

Gyokeres, who has been described as ‘unstoppable‘ by One Football, has now earmarked Arsenal as his ‘dream’ destination.

Arsenal remain undecided over their new marquee striker

Kai Havertz was the Gunners’ top scorer in the league last season with nine goals. The German was in good form before sustaining a lengthy hamstring injury in February.

Arsenal still need an upgrade in the final third. The club are in concrete talks with RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko while they are also in contact with Gyokeres’ representative.

The club are working simultaneously on potential deals for both strikers. Gyokeres could be the fallback option for the Gunners if they can’t finalise a move with Leipzig for Sesko.

Sesko has a release clause worth £68 million in his contract, but the German outfit could demand up to £85m for his services as Arsenal have no plans to pay the clause in one lump sum.

Meanwhile, there is a £85m release clause in Victor Gyokeres’ contract at Sporting CP, but the Portuguese champions are reportedly eyeing around £68m to sanction his departure.

However, the striker’s representative reportedly has a ‘sales mandate‘. He will be owed 10 percent of every bid rejected above £51m for the 27-year-old if he triggers the clause.

Hence, we won’t be surprised if Gyokeres is sold for as low as £51m this summer.

Sesko netted only 21 goals for Leipzig last term compared to Gyokeres’ staggering tally of 54 goals at Sporting CP.

However, the Bundesliga is a much superior league to the Primeira Liga, which should be taken into regard.

Sesko is much better in the air than Gyokeres, and seems more suited to playing in the Premier League.

The Slovenian is five years younger too and could develop into a potent goalscorer in future.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal go with Sesko’s potential or Gyokeres, who is in the prime of his career.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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