“On his way”: Portuguese media reveals Man United are set to lose Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal | OneFootball

Manchester United have been trumped by Premier League rival Arsenal in the red-hot race for Viktor Gyokeres, according to a report.

Portuguese outlet O Jogo (as relayed by the Manchester Evening News) reveals the Gunners have struck a £58.9 million agreement with Sporting CP to sign Gyokeres.

One of the headlines reads “Swede on his way to Arsenal” with the report contending “it is only a matter of time before the transfer is made official.”

Sporting were crowned as Liga Portugal champions on the weekend after a 2-0 win over Vitoria SC completed successive title wins for Leões.

They finished two points clear of local rivals Benfica with a better goal-difference, mainly driven by Gyokeres’ ridiculous attacking contributions as the Swedish international finished the season with 39 goals and eight assists in 33 league games.

Sporting still have the final of the Taça de Portugal – the Portuguese version of the FA Cup – to traverse this weekend against Benfica.

And it’s expected that Arsenal will officially seal the deal for Gyokeres next week after this season-ending match.

United have been closely linked with a move for Gyokeres given head coach Ruben Amorim brought the 26-year-old striker to Lisbon and helped mould him into one of Europe’s deadliest number nines.

Amorim swapped Portugal for England in November to take over from Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. But the 40-year-old coach has endured a miserable debut season in Manchester with his forward line a massive hindrance, in particular.

The senior striking partnership of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have combined for just seven goals in the Premier League. No other player in the squad has broken double figures in the league.

A new striker is considered an urgent priority by United executives with the club having held out hope they may still be able to strike a deal to reunite Amorim with his former pupil, especially if successful in the Europa League and the reward it brings of Champions League football next season.

But it appears Arsenal have moved quickly and decisively to win the race for Gyokeres with new sporting director Andrea Berta believed to have been crucial to the decision.

Featured image Gualter Fatia via Getty Images

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social