Arsenal and Manchester United have suffered a serious setback in their efforts to sign Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres by the player's uncle.
After helping the Portuguese giants storm to the Primeira Liga title with a phenomenal 39 goals in 33 league games this season, Gyokeres will be one of the most in-demand strikers on the planet this summer.
It has been claimed that Arsenal are already close to striking a deal on personal terms with the Sweden international, and the Gunners have the major benefit of Champions League participation.
In contrast, the Red Devils will have no form of European football for next season, although they reportedly still intend to 'gazump' Arsenal in the race for Gyokeres, who shares a close bond with Ruben Amorim.
Up until now, the consensus has been that Gyokeres will earn a big-money move to a European giant this summer, and Sporting are thought to be willing to accept around £60m to £70m in spite of his £85m release clause as an act of gratitude.
Gyokeres's uncle suggests striker will stay at Sporting
© Imago
However, Gyokeres's uncle has now made a bombshell claim, revealing that his family decided that the ex-Coventry City man has to remain in Portugal over a celebratory dinner.
"I'm super happy, this is amazing," The Sun quotes Gyokeres's uncle as saying. "We were here last year, it's the same spirit, the same people, the same atmosphere. Absolutely fantastic! Beyond words!
"Yesterday at dinner we decided that he has to stay. Yes, we think so. We hope so, because look... We love it, it's incredible, the country, the people and Sporting. And the Lions."
Gyokeres is still contracted to the Primeira Liga champions for another three years, but Sporting are expected to be receptive to appropriate offers, having accepted that they are facing an uphill battle to keep him.
The 26-year-old has produced an exceptional 96 goals and 28 assists in 101 appearances for Sporting since joining in 2023, including a sensational 53 strikes from 51 matches in 2024-25.
What Gyokeres alternatives can Man United, Arsenal target?
© Imago
While Gyokeres's uncle may have made his feelings clear, it will be the player himself who decides what is best for his career, and it would be a shock if he suddenly decided that he could not leave Sporting.
However, neither Arsenal nor Man United will be placing all of their eggs in the Gyokeres basket, and the Gunners are believed to remain keen admirers of RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.
The Slovenian was courted by Arsenal last year before signing a new contract with the German giants, and his £75m release clause would be affordable for the Gunners, although maybe not Man United.
The Red Devils' finances suffered a huge hit in their 1-0 Europa League final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, and it would not be a surprise to see them press ahead with a move for Lille's Jonathan David on a free transfer.
Face-to-face talks have supposedly been held with Ipswich Town's Liam Delap now too, while Matheus Cunha is primed to join from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a £62.5m deal to play as one of Amorim's number 10s.
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Ben Knapton
