Arsenal face nervous 10-day deadline over top transfer target as Man Utd eye hijack

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is keen to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting this summer

Arsenal may have to wait until the conclusion of the Europa League final on May 21 to discover whether Viktor Gyokeres still favours a transfer to the Emirates Stadium over a move to Manchester United. The Sporting striker is reportedly prioritising a switch to Arsenal, but would consider linking up with former boss Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford if there is Champions League football on offer. Arsenal are desperate for attacking reinforcements after struggling in front of goal at times this season due to a lack of forward options. The Gunners have been forced to play Mikel Merino up front in recent months after Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz sustained long-term injuries. The club also failed to replace Eddie Nketiah and Mika Biereth after selling them last year and will be targeting fresh faces when the summer transfer window opens next month. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

According to The Telegraph, Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta has made Gyokeres his summer transfer priority after pursuing the 26-year-old when he was working for Atletico Madrid. The north London giants are said to be ahead in the running for the striker’s signature and will be able to offer him Champions League football unless they drop out of the top five in the Premier League before the end of the campaign. Gyokeres spent almost 18 months working under Amorim at Sporting after the Portuguese coach signed the Sweden international from Coventry in July 2023. The player is reportedly favouring a move to Arsenal but has told Amorim that a move to Old Trafford could be on the cards as long as United are playing in Europe’s top tier club competition next season.

Arsenal transfer target Viktor Gyokeres has bagged 38 league goals this season

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United are nowhere near the Champions League qualification places in the Premier League table after winning just 10 of their 35 top-flight matches ahead of their clash with West Ham on Sunday. But they will qualify for the prestigious European competition if they can get the better of Tottenham in the Europa League final. For the last decade, the Europa League champions have been rewarded for their endeavours with a place in the Champions League the following season. And United will be desperate to return to the competition following an underwhelming season domestically.

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