Viktor Gyokeres makes final Man United transfer decision as preference ‘revealed’

Latest Manchester United transfer news as reports suggest that Viktor Gyokeres has turned down an Old Trafford move in favour of Arsenal

Manchester United have reportedly been dealt a blow by Viktor Gyokeres after the Sweden international signalled his intention to sign for Premier League rivals Arsenal. Ruben Amorim brought the forward to Sporting CP with the talisman steering the Portuguese club to back-to-back league titles and a double last term.

The 27-year-old faces a transfer saga this summer with reports suggesting that United, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs vying for Gyokeres’ signature. During the first stage of the transfer window, the Old Trafford side welcomed Matheus Cunha as their first signing through the door before expressing an interest in Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.

Following one of their worst league performances in their history last term, United face a crucial summer in order to push back up the table and into the European places.

They missed out on Liam Delap, who opted for a move to Chelsea over a return to the North West having spent his formative years across Manchester at City.

United held talks over a £30 million move for the 22-year-old but the former Ipswich Town striker turned down the likes of Newcastle, Everton and Amorim’s side in favour of a move to West London.

According to The Times, their efforts to sign attacking reinforcements have been handed a fresh blow in the pursuit of an attacking addition as reports suggest Gyokeres has made his preference known.

The report claims that it has emerged that the former Brighton & Hove Albion and Coventry striker would prefer a move to Arsenal.

Gyokeres has established himself as a marksman in the Portuguese top-flight scoring 97 goals in 102 appearances and it has been claimed that United held exploratory talks with the striker but he has let it be known that his preferred destination is the capital.

Despite the emergence of Gyokeres’ preference of a move to Arsenal, reports suggest that a move isn’t imminent with the Gunners split on RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko.

The Slovenian has been remarked as a contender to make a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer but The Times claims that Mikel Arteta and recruitment staff in north London are torn between whether they should sign Sesko or Gyokeres.

Sporting CP boss Rui Borges remained tight-lipped over the future of his prolific talisman this month.

“Gyokeres? Sporting’s future begins on July 1st,” he said.

“That’s all I can say and today I’m here to, above all, salute this tribute that was paid to me.

“That’s all. I’m on vacation, I’m not here to talk about that.

This season saw United miss out on European qualification since 2014-15 after they failed to salvage credibility for a torrid campaign losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

A win over Spurs would have guaranteed a spot in next season’s new-look Champions League, however, their 15th-place finish consigned them to domestic cup football only as they target a rebuild at Old Trafford.