What is happening with Gyokeres as 'furious' Man Utd target rejects £30m offer

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Manchester United are looking at a blockbuster move for Sporting CP goal-machine Viktor Gyokeres, and the transfer saga surrounding him promises plenty more twists and turns
In the swirling vortex of the summer transfer window, few names are burning as brightly as Viktor Gyokeres at the moment. The Swedish striker – Sporting CP's goalscoring phenomenon – has become the subject of intense speculation, with several Premier League giants circling like hawks.
Manchester United, under the stewardship of Gyokeres' former boss Ruben Amorim, have now emerged as frontrunners to secure the 27-year-old's signature, drawn by his prolific record of 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portuguese champions.
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Arsenal, Chelsea and even Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have been linked, but it's a move to Old Trafford that looks likeliest as things stand, especially with the Gunners also focusing on Benjamin Sesko and Chelsea pushing for Hugo Ekitike, having already signed Liam Delap at Stamford Bridge.
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But success for United is far from guaranteed, with lingering doubts, internal tensions and external interest all threatening to derail what would undoubtedly be a major coup for the Red Devils – especially given their torrid form in 2024/25. As the saga rumbles on, Mirror Football breaks down all the latest developments.
Viktor Gyokeres 'furious' with Sporting
Gyokeres' frustration with Sporting has boiled over, with reports indicating the striker is 'furious' over a broken promise. He has an £84m release clause in his contract, though it's understood a gentlemen's agreement was made which would allow Gyokeres to leave this summer if an offer of around £60m was tabled.
However, according to Portuguese outlet Record, Sporting are now reluctance to honour this deal, leaving Gyokeres feeling betrayed. The club, having signed him for £20m from Coventry City in 2023, now stand to make a significant profit, and are now demanding at least £67m.
This, naturally, has sparked tension, with eagle-eyed fans noticing that Gyokeres has now removed all reference to Sporting from his Instagram bio. Though it must be said, he's also taken down mention of Sweden's national team and his sponsor, Nike.
Sporting's revised asking price may shed light on why Arsenal – previously considered favourites to sign the Swede – have cooled their interest.
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Gyokeres is expected to demand a weekly salary exceeding £250,000. And when combined with substantial agent fees, any potential deal becomes a costly proposition.
The additional £7m Sporting have tacked onto the transfer fee has only made the move more prohibitive, and may have sewn distrust among potential buyers. However, the ongoing tension between player and club could accelerate negotiations, giving United and others a chance to capitalise on the situation.
Viktor Gyokeres 'rejects £30m offer'
In a bold move, Gyokeres has turned down a staggering £30m-a-year offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal, underscoring his ambition to compete at the highest level. The lucrative proposal, which would have made him one of the world's best-paid players, was rejected, with Gyokeres prioritising a move to one of Europe's top leagues instead.
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Al-Hilal, eager to sign a marquee striker, targeted Gyokeres after their high-profile pursuit of Victor Osimhen collapsed last week. Osimhen, like Gyokeres, is linked with multiple Premier League clubs and reportedly rejected a lucrative £650,000-per-week offer from the PIF-backed outfit.
Their rejections signal a focus on sporting ambition over financial reward. That said, securing either player will still require substantial investment, and United must be ready to meet significant financial demands if they want to land a superstar forward this summer.
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Manchester United transfer had '99% chance'
United's pursuit of Gyokeres could have been finalised by now had the club qualified for the Champions League. Earlier this year, Amorim identified Gyokeres as his top attacking target and laid significant groundwork for the transfer.
It's said the Swedish striker would have quickly agreed to join the Red Devils had they defeated Tottenham in the Europa League final to secure a Champions League spot. However, United's loss in Bilbao changed things. Fabrizio Romano reckoned a "99% chance", but as they prioritised Matheus Cunha, it has certainly never been that clear cut.
Gyokeres is now weighing up his options. While he remains open to a move to Old Trafford, interest from overseas clubs like PSG, Juventus, and Barcelona could see him lured elsewhere.
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United are in frequent contact with Sporting and Gyokeres' representatives to negotiate a deal, but without Champions League football, their proposal could be less compelling than those of other clubs.
What's next?
Gyokeres' future remains a tantalising puzzle as the transfer window's first deadline approaches on Monday evening. United's hopes of luring him to Manchester will be buoyed by Amorim's close relationship with the player and the club's ambitious attacking overhaul, highlighted by the recent capture of Matheus Cunha and potential arrival of Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.
However, a late twist remains possible. Arsenal could re-enter the race if their pursuit of Sesko falters and he takes the Al-Hilal cash, while whispers of interest from other Champions League clubs both domestic and overseas add uncertainty to United's chase.
Gyokeres' next move will not only shape his career but could define the ambitions of whichever club secures his signature. For now, United hold the edge, but in football, nothing is certain until the ink dries.
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