Viktor Gyokeres sends message to Ruben Amorim as Arsenal transfer moves closer

Viktor Gyokeres appears destined to join Arsenal this summer with Manchester United backing off their interest in the Sporting Lisbon star despite Ruben Amorim previously getting the best out of the Swede

Viktor Gyokeres remains likely to join Arsenal in a bumper deal this summer with Manchester United halting their interest in the striker.

But the Sporting Lisbon star has still hailed United head coach Ruben Amorim for his influence in a new profile interview with France Football.

The Gunners and Sporting are in advanced talks over a deal for Gyokeres, who is in the final year of his deal with the Portuguese giants and has already agreed personal terms with the Premier League side.

And while a final fee is yet to be agreed between the clubs, there is such confidence that United have already switched their attention elsewhere.

Yet Gyokeres appears to have nothing but praise for Amorim, who struggled since quitting Sporting for Old Trafford midway through last season as United finished 15th in the league and lost the Europa League final to Spurs.

“We won two championships in a row, for the first time in 71 years. It’s an incredible achievement, and of course, Ruben Amorim played a big role in that,” Gyokeres said. “I can’t thank him enough. The style of play we had under his orders suited me perfectly.”

The full piece is yet to be released but L’Equipe, the sibling outlet of France Football, h ave run a teaser on Tuesday afternoon.

And Gyokeres went on to add that he could understand why Amorim would choose to leave for the Premier League’s bright lights - even if he was surprised by the decision.

Insisting there was "no resentment" towards his former boss, Gyokeres added: “It was a shock. It’s never happened to me to see a manager leave in the middle of the season when everything was going well. It was surprising, but I totally understand his decision.”

Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko have been Arsenal's two top targets ahead of the new season with the former now seemingly the preferred option. A swoop for a left-sided forward, potentially Rodrygo of Real Madrid, is also something Arsenal want to do before the transfer window shuts at the end of next month.

There is growing belief that the Brazil international will become available, after falling down the pecking order under new Bernabeu boss Xabi Alonso.