Viktor Gyokeres has provided the latest update on his future as Arsenal and Manchester United wait to pounce in the summer transfer window.
Gyokeres has enjoyed a remarkable two seasons, which have seen him go from relative obscurity to one of the most sought-after strikers in the whole of Europe.
The Swede delivered another superb performance on Friday, with his hat-trick against Moreinse bringing his goal total up to a staggering 34 in just 29 league games this season.
Such goalscoring prowess has attracted interest from a host of top clubs ahead of the summer window, with Sporting said to be happy to part ways with their prized asset for a fee between £58-63million.
Ruben Amorim is eager to be reunited with Gyokeres at Old Trafford but Manchester United may find it hard to convince the Swede to join them if they do not qualify for next season’s Champions League.
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Instead, it’s believed that Arsenal may well be Gyokeres’ preferred destination as he seeks out a regular starting berth and Champions League football.
Andrea Berta, the Gunners’ new sporting director, is also said to be an ‘admirer’ of the striker as he looks to recruit a much-needed goalscorer for Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of the new season.
Gyokeres, however, was keen to keep his cards close to his chest when asked about his plans for the summer.
‘No one can predict what will happen, we enjoy the moment,’ he told reporters after Friday’s win, which moved Sporting three points clear of Benfica at the top of the Portuguese league.
Asked about a reported agreement between the club and himself to let him go in the summer, the 26-year-old added: ‘I can’t say anything about that.’
Gyokeres was even teased about a potential move to London with one journalist asking him if he liked the English capital.
‘I like Lisbon,’ the Sporting striker responded with a smile.
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 ,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 look set to lose Trent Alexander-Arnold 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
William Gallas fears Gyokeres could ‘crumble’
Not everyone is sold on the idea of Gyokeres making the move to the Emirates, however, with former Arsenal centre-back William Gallas fearful as to whether the Swede will be able to adapt to the English top-flight.
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‘Arsenal still have the same problem, they need a striker that can score 20 goals a season,’ Gallas told Slingo.
‘I know Viktor Gyokeres has surpassed that amount in the Portuguese league, but it could be completely different for him in the Premier League, it will be a big change.
‘Can Gyokeres adapt to the Premier League? That is the question. He is 26 years old, I don’t know if he can be one of the best strikers in Europe. If he comes to Arsenal, it will be another level of pressure for him.
‘It happens a lot when a player is doing really well at a smaller club, then they crumble at a bigger club. Gyokeres will have a level of responsibility he has never had in his career if he were to join Arsenal.’
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