Viktor Gyokeres’ uncle believes his nephew will snub Arsenal and Manchester United in favour of staying at Sporting Lisbon this summer.
The Swedish striker has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League following another impressive season in the Portuguese capital.
Gyokeres scored 43 goals during his first season at Sporting Lisbon and has netted a staggering 53 goals in 51 games this term.
The 26-year-old has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs, most notably Arsenal and Manchester United, but a family member believes he could end up staying put.
Sporting Lisbon are believed to be open to offers for Gyokeres, who is at the top of both Mikel Arteta and Ruben Amorim’s wish-lists ahead of the summer transfer window.
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Arsenal have been in desperate need of a striker for over a year and Gyokeres, who would cost around £60m, is a cheaper alternative to Arteta’s dream target Alexander Isak.
Manchester United are also expected to sign a new striker this summer with Amorim looking for an upgrade to £72m transfer flop Rasmus Hojlund.
Both Arsenal and United may be forced to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements, however, with Gyokeres’ uncle of the opinion that he could well stay at Sporting Lisbon.
‘I’m very happy, it’s fantastic,’ Chris Gyokeres told Portuguese outlet Record during Sporting’s title celebrations. ‘We were here last year, it’s the same spirit.
‘It’s the same people, it’s the same atmosphere. Absolutely fantastic! I’m speechless!’
Asked whether Gyokeres could stay at Sporting Lisbon for another season, he added: ‘Yesterday at dinner we decided that he has to stay.
‘Yes, we think so. We hope so, because look… We love it, it’s incredible, the country, the people and Sporting. And the Lions. We love it!’
Gyokeres’ mind may have been changed after Manchester United were beaten by Tottenham in the Europa League final.
Which Premier League club should Viktor Gyokeres join?
Arsenal
It’s obvious why a move to the Emirates Stadium might appeal to Gyokeres. Arsenal look set for a third successive second-place finish in the Premier League and they have come so close to winning the title without an out-and-out striker.
Gyokeres would be an immediate upgrade on Mikel Arteta’s current options, which include ex-Chelsea forward Kai Havertz, the injured Gabriel Jesus and makeshift striker (at least since Arsenal’s injury crisis) Mikel Merino.
More than just a goalscorer – as 12 assists so far this season shows – Gyokeres would also thrive in an Arsenal team that requires more from their forwards than just a poacher.
Players speak glowingly of Arteta and Arsenal would be a stable environment for Gyokeres to continue his development and perhaps be the difference for a team who have aspirations of winning trophies on the regular over the next few years.
Manchester United
Old Trafford was immediately tipped as Gyokeres’ future destination when Ruben Amorim left Sporting Lisbon to replace Erik ten Hag.
Gyokeres’ incredible first season came under Amorim and the ex-Sporting boss looks set to welcome a new striker to the club this summer after being left underwhelmed by expensive but struggling signings Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
The chance to reunite with Amorim will be tempting for Gyokeres, who would also be joining one of the biggest clubs in the world despite their recent struggles.
The problem, of course, is Manchester United – in the bottom-half of the Premier League – will be without Champions League football next season, barring a surprising Europa League triumph.
Louis Sealey | Deputy Sports Editor, Metro
Amorim’s side would have qualified for Champions League had they won the final in Bilbao but instead it will be Spurs playing in Europe’s top club competition next year.
Reacting to United’s Europa League final defeat, club legend Rio Ferdinand said on TNT Sports: ‘A disaster of a season ending on a bad note, and I don’t think United did enough to deserve it.
‘There was no real cutting edge in the United team. All that sustained pressure, the goalkeeper [Guglielmo Vicario] made one save in the whole game – you can’t expect to win a trophy when you’re a bit reserved.
‘Ruben Amorim’s way of playing compared to the past regime is very different.
‘In terms of what he wants them to do – I think he needs more time, he hasn’t had a pre-season. He needs a recruitment window to then have real judgement.’
The other club at the front of the queue to sign Gyokeres – Arsenal – are on course for a third successive second-place finish in the Premier League but went a fifth consecutive season without a trophy under Mikel Arteta.
Having clinched the Portuguese league title, Sporting and Gyokeres will now look to secure a domestic double ahead of a cup final against Benfica this weekend.
Arsenal finish the 2024-25 season on Sunday against relegation Southampton while Manchester United welcome Champions League-chasing Aston Villa to Old Trafford.
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