Man Utd decide transfer plan after Viktor Gyokeres rejects Red Devils for Arsenal

Viktor Gyokeres is keen to join Arsenal (Image: Getty)

Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres has his sights set on a move to Arsenal, having informed Manchester United that he won't be heading to Old Trafford. The Swedish striker believes he needs to join a Champions League club next season and wants to compete for the Premier League title.

Sources at United have declined to comment on Portuguese reports that the 27-year-old has told the club he is not interested in reuniting with his former Sporting coach Ruben Amorim in Manchester. However, the Mirror report that the Red Devils have already begun exploring other options and are prepared to intensify their interest in Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike.

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The France Under-21 international has also caught Liverpool's eye after netting 22 goals for the German side last season. However, Frankfurt's £80million valuation of the ex-Paris Saint Germain forward would need to be significantly reduced before United make an offer.

Arsenal's sporting director Andrea Berta is determined to boost Mikel Arteta's squad's goal tally next season with some attacking additions. The Gunners have compiled a shortlist of options that also features RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Atletico Madrid's ex-Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez.

Berta met with Sporting's director of football Bernardo Palmeiro in Menorca last week to discuss Gyokeres. The former Coventry striker has an impressive record of 97 goals in 102 matches in Portugal.

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United and Liverpool are interested in signing Hugo Ekitike (Image: Getty)

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With Bayern Munich now showing interest in Slovakian international Sesko and Argentine World Cup winner Alvarez settling in Spain, it seems that Gyokeres fits the bill for many clubs. However, a significant stumbling block has emerged in the form of a bitter dispute between the player's agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, and Sporting president Frederico Varandas.

Cetinkaya maintains he possesses a written assurance from Varandas promising to agree to a deal with any club offering £59million. In response, Varandas insists that while he did verbally agree to sell Gyokeres for less than the £84.7m release clause specified in his contract, he hasn't yet determined a valuation. Varandas is now considering enforcing the full terms of the buy-out clause, further incensed by threats that Gyokeres might look to force through a move.

The situation is further muddled by Cetinkaya's disclosure that Sporting would owe him nearly £6m if they decline an official bid of £51m upfront and £8m in add-ons.

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However, sources close to Sporting have reportedly informed coach Rui Borges to plan for the next season without his leading goalscorer and have initiated the process of finding a replacement.

Confirmation has also come from Portugal that Coventry will receive a 10 percent share of any fee Sporting earn from selling Gyokeres.

The Sky Blues had initially brokered a 15 percent concession as part of the agreement that saw the Swede move to Lisbon for £20m two seasons ago. They agreed to a payment of £843,500 last year to decrease their entitlement.