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Viktor Gyokeres has attracted interest from Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool – but one Premier League club is at the forefront of his mind.
Gyokeres has been in incredible goalscoring form since joining Sporting Lisbon in 2023, netting 85 goals in 92 appearances.
The Swedish striker enjoyed two impressive seasons for Championship side Coventry City but has gone to another level since moving to Portugal, establishing himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe.
Gyokeres is expected to be on the move this summer despite being contracted to Sporting for another three years and having a huge release clause worth €100m.
Reports in Portugal say the 26-year-old, who scored a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City earlier in the season, is keen on a move to England to take the ‘next step’ in his career.
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Sporting Lisbon are also open to a sale to raise some cash and are ready to part ways with Gyokeres for around £58m.
Ruben Amorim still hopes to bring his former Sporting star to Old Trafford despite Manchester United’s continued struggles since his appointment.
Liverpool have also been heavily linked with a move as Arne Slot looks to bring in a recognised striker to lead the line and replace Darwin Nunez.
But both United and Liverpool could be set for disappointment as Gyokeres ‘favours’ a move to Arsenal, according to A Bola.
Arsenal are in desperate need of a new striker after failing to sign any players during the January transfer window, a decision that left Mikel Merino playing up top in several games.
Ahead of the final few weeks of the 2024-25 season, Arsenal still have a slim chance of winning the Premier League and Champions League.
Before his summer exit, Gyokeres will hope to fire Sporting Lisbon to yet another league title, with the club currently three points ahead of second-placed Benfica.
Gyokeres is not the only striker being linked with a big-money summer transfer, with the likes of Alexander Isak, Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko all also subject of interest from elite clubs.
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 11 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.
Liverpool
Gyokeres in on course to leave Sporting Lisbon as a title winner so who better to join than the new Premier League champions?
Liverpool, on the verge of becoming English champions in Arne Slot’s first season at Anfield, could be the perfect platform for Gyokeres.
Slot has managed without a recognised centre forward this season but Jamie Carragher is among those calling for the arrival of a new striker amid reports Darwin Nunez is on his way out.
Liverpool could lose Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk this summer but winning the race to sign Gyokeres would be a significant coup and give Slot a reasonable chance of defending the title.
Louis Sealey | Deputy Sports Editor, Metro
Why Man Utd should beat Arsenal to Gyokeres
Earlier this week, Manchester United legend Nani urged his former club to beat Arsenal and other rivals to a deal for Gyokeres.
The four-time Premier League winner said: ‘The last few games I saw him play, he’s much more mature. He’s not playing the same, he’s using his qualities on the right moments now, he’s not losing energy every time.
‘Now, he sets the ball back to the players who have to run with the ball. He controls the game for the team.
‘He’s making goals, he’s making assists, so I think he’s a player who can play in the Premier League. Trust me.
‘If he was playing the same today as he was one year ago I would say no because, in the Premier League, the defenders will eat him because he just wants to run with the ball.
‘But now, he’s playing with his head and he’s really strong. It felt like he was a rock! Powerful. I swear, I swear.’
Asked where he thinks Gyokeres will end up, Nani added: ‘I would love to see him at Manchester United because we need players.
‘If he can go to Manchester United and do the same that he’s doing here, I would be very happy because he scores so many goals.
‘He scores every week! If he doesn’t score, he assists, he creates for the team.He’s very powerful, he’s a player who can run for 90 minutes at the same speed.
‘It’s incredible. You need to come to Portugal to see one game and you will see how strong this guy is. Playing back to the goal and rotating… oh my god! No defender can stop him.’
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