Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has claimed that he does not currently know where his future lies amidst speculation that Arsenal and Manchester United have identified him as a target.
The Gunners will play Ipswich Town on Sunday in the Premier League following their 2-1 victory against Real Madrid in the second leg of their quarter-final tie on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta's side advanced into the semi-finals of Europe's premier competition despite fielding midfielder Mikel Merino up front.
It would be surprising if the Londoners failed to address their issues in attack in the upcoming summer transfer window, with Sporting striker Gyokeres strongly linked with a move to the Emirates.
Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in the Swedish forward, and the two clubs may have been given encouragement after Gyokeres admitted that he does not know if he will stay in Portugal, saying: "No one can predict what will happen, we enjoy the moment."
The striker is reportedly available for a fee in the region of £70m, and numerous clubs across the continent will likely be in the race to secure his services.
© Imago
Who needs Gyokeres more?
If Arsenal were to sign Gyokeres, they would be signing him as the final missing piece of their XI, with Arteta keen to avoid finishing second for a fourth consecutive season in 2025-26.
Current number nine Kai Havertz was bought from Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for £65m, and the German has so far scored 22 Premier League goals for the Gunners in 58 games.
Havertz's return is by no means poor, but given Arsenal's tally of 57 goals in the league this season is 17 fewer than first-placed Liverpool, the Londoners must look to get more production out of the players in their team.
As for United, their return of 38 goals makes them the sixth-worst offensive side in the division, with striker Rasmus Hojlund having only scored three Premier League goals in 2024-25.
The Red Devils are currently in 14th place with just 38 points and their only hopes of securing European football next season is winning the Europa League this term.
Boss Ruben Amorim has so far only been allowed to make one signing - left wing-back Patrick Dorgu in the January transfer window - and it is clear that he will need numerous additions in order to turn his side's fortunes around.
While the lure of regular Champions League football and title challenges at Arsenal for Gyokeres may prove too much to overcome, the Swedish striker would certainly elevate United's misfiring attack.
Lewis Nolan
