Man Utd's telling Gyokeres stance revealed as Arsenal approve £83m transfer

Manchester United will press ahead for a move for Viktor Gyokeres in the summer, in a sign the striker will not leave Sporting Lisbon this month.

Gyokeres has emerged as one of the most desired strikers in Europe since joining Sporting from Coventry City in 2022. He scored 43 goals in 50 games to fire them to the Primeira Liga title in his debut season.

He has followed that up with another impressive campaign in front of goal. The Swedish star has registered 32 strikes in just 30 games to make him one of the leading transfer targets this month.

United and Arsenal are both among the clubs chasing the 26-year-old, though he still has another three years to run on his contract. That puts Sporting in a strong negotiating position.

With that in mind, United are now ready to park their pursuit and come back in for Gyokeres in the summer. That is according to The Independent, who claim the Red Devils are 'hopeful' of holding off their competition to complete a deal at the end of the season.

Gyokeres is understood to have an £83million release clause in his contract. United would not be able to afford that this month without a number of sales, while Sporting are also keen to keep hold of their star striker this month.

The two clubs are said to have a 'good relationship', adding credence to the belief that Gyokeres is more likely to move in the summer. The striker is understood to be 'keen' to step up a level and 'would love' to work with Ruben Amorim, now at United, again.

While there is 'hope from within' United that they can win a summer race for Gyokeres, Arsenal may mount a move this month. Gunners chiefs have raised the 26-year-old as a potential target.

The injury to Gabriel Jesus has seen them approve a move for a striker in this month's window. Gyokeres, RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Brighton's Evan Ferguson have all been mentioned as targets, though Sporting boss Rui Borges is clear he wants his stiker to stay until the summer.

"If we always believe the news... Football is made of this. Players have clauses; it’s a big business. As a coach, my focus is on what I have to work on, on the pitch. That is my primary concern," Borges said earlier this month.

"I try not to stray from that, as it's the only thing I can control. The rest relates to the club, the structure, the clauses... (...). He is a unique player, who is aligned with the team and his teammates. Right there, he is already way ahead.

"We do not shy away from the importance he holds. Having to adapt someone to the team, to the club... Some adapt quicker, others less so. Viktor is an important player, and any coach would like to have him until the end of the season."