HERE WE GO: Manchester United agree a huge transfer fee to sign £100million rated striker who has already agreed personal terms with the Reds
Manchester United may have received in their attempts to reunite Ruben Amorim with Viktor Gyokeres, as the latter has adopted a defiant stance.
After bagging 54 goals and 13 assists in his 52 outings this season, the 27-year-old is one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe.
But while the player and his entourage had envisioned a smooth exit, this one has now escalated into the most dramatic soap opera of the summer transfer window thus far.
Gyokeres’ agent claimed that Sporting’s president had promised to sell the player for €70 million last summer, while the latter refuted the story, insisting he had only agreed not sell him for a figure lower than the €100 million inserted in the Swede’s release clause.
Viktor Gyokeres rebels against Sporting CP
In the meantime, Arsenal and Man Utd have been embroiled in a fierce battle for his services, while some believe Liverpool could have their say now that Darwin Nunez is seemingly close to joining Napoli.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Gyokeres has been left heartbroken by the president’s decision to impede his exit, so he has decided to rebel against his current employers.
As the Italian journalist reveals, the Sweden international won’t report to training when Sporting’s pre-season begins, and has no intention to play for the Lisbon-based giants anymore.
Can Man Utd pull off Gyokeres deal?
This will be music to the ears of the striker’s suitors, but it remains to be seen if Man United still stand a chance in the race.
After all, it has been previously reported that Gyokeres is keen to play in the Champions League next season, so he has decided to give his priority to Arsenal who appear to be the favourites to land him.
Therefore, United have been following several other profiles, including Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, and Moise Kean, while Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku became the latest player to emerge on the shortlist.
Here’s the latest on **Viktor Gyökeres** and how his situation is unfolding:
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## 🚨 Gyökeres Rebel: Won’t Report to Sporting’s Pre-season
* He’s reportedly informed Sporting he “**will never play for the club again**” and is prepared to **skip pre-season**—potentially even going on strike—to force a move ([talksport.com][1]).
* According to Fabrizio Romano, Gyökeres is **heartbroken** that Sporting have reneged on a prior verbal deal to sell him for around **€65–70 million**, and not the **€80–100 million** they now demand ([tribuna.com][2]).
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## ⚔️ Arsenal Looks to Top the Race
* Arsenal remain the front-runners; Gyökeres reportedly told family he expects to join **the Gunners**, who can offer **Champions League football**—while Manchester United currently cannot ([talksport.com][3]).
* It’s been suggested **Manchester United** may still pursue him—but **lack of European football** and Sporting’s tough stance complicate any deal ([talksport.com][1]).
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## 💰 Financial Tussle: €65–70m vs. €100m+ Release Clause
* A **verbal agreement** was supposedly set for a €65–70m exit, but Sporting backtracked, reasserting the **€100m release clause** ([tribuna.com][4]).
* Gyökeres’ frustration and refusal to return to training may be a strategic move to exert maximum pressure ([talksport.com][1]).
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## 👀 Can Manchester United Still Compete?
* United are reported to have had **contact with Gyökeres’ camp**, mainly due to the **Rúben Amorim connection**, but are hampered by financial constraints and their inability to offer Champions League football ([thepeoplesperson.com][5]).
* With Sporting’s asking price spiking and Gyökeres preferring Arsenal, United now see him as a **backup option**, and are exploring others like **Sesko**, **Ekitike**, **Nkunku**, and **Moise Kean** ([talksport.com][1]).
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## ⚡ Final Takeaways
* Gyökeres is **actively resisting** Sporting, will likely skip pre-season—an unmistakable sign he’s pushing for departure.
* **Arsenal** are in pole position, offering European football and aligning with the player’s preference.
* **Manchester United** remain nominally interested but are not front-runners due to sporting and financial limitations.
* Sporting’s position has hardened—**no simple €65m exit**; any buyer must meet closer to the **€100m release clause**.
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Would you like a **side-by-side comparison** of Gyökeres, Sesko, and Nkunku to help assess who United should realistically pursue next?
* [talksport.com](https://talksport.com/football/3317292/viktor-gyokeres-transfer-decision-rumours-sporting/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [aftonbladet.se](https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/8qamRA?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
[2]: https://tribuna.com/en/news/2025-06-10-fabrizio-romano-confirms-gyokeres-angry-as-sporting-raise-asking-price/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Fabrizio Romano confirms Gyokeres ‘angry’ as Sporting raise asking price – Football | Tribuna.com”
[3]: https://talksport.com/football/3289113/viktor-gyokeres-transfer-sporting-arsenal-man-united/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Viktor Gyokeres makes Premier League demand as two-horse race for star striker forms”
[4]: https://tribuna.com/en/news/2025-03-05-viktor-gyokeres-has-agreement-with-sporting-to-leave-for-6570m-this-summer-fabrizio-roman/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Viktor Gyokeres has agreement with Sporting to leave for €65-70m this summer – Fabrizio Romano – Football | Tribuna.com”
[5]: https://thepeoplesperson.com/2025/04/30/man-united-remain-keen-on-viktor-gyokeres-fabrizio-romano-293452/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Man United \”remain keen\” on Viktor Gyokeres – Fabrizio Romano – Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person”
