Viktor Gyokeres: Transfer preference CONFIRMED as January deal NOT ruled out

Viktor Gyokeres’ future lies away from Sporting CP in all probability, with the Sweden international forward having been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

It has now been confirmed that the hitman has a preference as to his next steps, with a deal in January not ruled out.

Gyokeres was wanted by both Arsenal and Chelsea during the summer of 2024 but they were made to wait by the 26-year-old, who preferred to remain in Lisbon to work with head coach Ruben Amorim.

The departure of Amorim to Man Utd, though, has changed the landscape of the transfer, which remains one that will likely take place during 2025.

The Athletic reports that a deal will likely be concluded next summer, but exactly where the Sweden star moves is up in the air.

Recent reports had suggested that Man Utd lead the way thanks to presence of Amorim, but David Ornstein’s understanding of the situation is not quite so clear cut.

“His close relationship with Ruben Amorim is no guarantee that he will favour a switch to Old Trafford. Gyokeres has a preference on who he wants to join, but the situation is open. His camp are considering options from across Europe, including the Premier League,” Ornstein writes, hinting but not confirming that the Red Devils are Gyokeres’ club of choice.

Although a January deal has been widely played down, Ornstein states that such a possibility “cannot be ruled out”, but that a summer transfer is likelier.

Reduced price confirmed

One of the reasons Arsenal’s attempts to sign former Coventry striker Gyokeres failed last summer was because they were unable to meet Sporting’s demand that the player’s release clause be matched to secure a deal.

Instead, it is suggested that Sporting will “likely” accept a bid worth in the region of €70m this summer – making the striker an altogether more reasonable price.

Previously, it had been reported that his price had been reduced as part of a gentleman’s agreement between the Lisbon club and Gyokeres over their decision to set his price so high last summer.

What has Gyokeres said about a transfer?

Gyokeres has played down any thoughts of a transfer at this point of the season.

“It’s not something I think about, nor something I give any importance to. It’s just rumours, nothing concrete,” he told Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen.

“Of course, I want to finish the season at Sporting, I’m enjoying my time there. I don’t feel stressed about making a change in the future. We’ll see when the time comes.”

Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd will continue to monitor the situation in the meantime.