Manchester United get major Viktor Gyokeres transfer update as £80m Arsenal decision made
Manchester United have been handed a boost in their proposed efforts to sign Viktor Gyokeres next summer - as Arsenal look set to wait until the end of the season to make their move.
United beat Arsenal 5-3 on penalties in the FA Cup third round on Sunday afternoon in a match which highlighted both sides' demand for a striker. The Gunners were wasteful with their 26 shots against the Reds, managing to put only seven of those on target.
As for Ruben Amorim's men, Rasmus Hojlund struggled yet again as the centre-forward and, while Joshua Zirkzee performed well off the bench, United still look desperate for some fresh blood in their attack. One player who has been linked with both clubs recently is Sporting CP's Gyokeres.
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Arsenal's interest in the forward has been well-documented since the summer as they identified him as being the ideal profile for their forward line. United's interest is a lot more recent and intensified in November when Amorim joined the Old Trafford club from Sporting.
The Reds are unlikely to make a move for Gyokeres in January, after Amorim insisted that he would not sign any players from the Lisbon side in the winter window. That appeared to open the door for Arsenal but, according to reports from The Independent, his £80million asking price is far too much for Mikel Arteta's side to splash midway through the season.
It's said that Arsenal's interest in Gyokeres is "growing" as their forward struggles continue, but the north London club would prefer to wait until the end of the season to spend that kind of money on any player. That will be seen as a boost for United who will see themselves as favourites to sign the striker having appointed Amorim. The only issue was whether Sporting would cash in on Gyokeres in January but, with Arsenal deterred from making an offer, the door is seemingly now firmly open for United.
