Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer truth, release clause and Man United interest

Arsenal are back in Champions League action on Tuesday night as they travel to Portugal to take on Sporting CP.

The Gunners currently sit in 12th place in the group stage table, having won two, drawn one and lost one of their opening four games of the competition. Sporting, meanwhile, are in second place behind Liverpool, having won three and drawn one of their four matches.

The Portuguese club caught the eye with their 4-1 win over Man City in their last Champions League outing.

That match saw Viktor Gyokeres grab a hat trick and add to his impressive goalscoring record this season. Arsenal will now come up against the on-fire forward this week.

Gyokeres is a name that will be familiar to Arsenal fans, given the transfer links to the striker. The Gunners will be able take a closer look at the player during the Champions League clash.

Ahead of the game, here is a look at what has been said around the striker’s future.

Arsenal links

Gyokeres is a name that has been linked with Arsenal since the summer. And it seems that interest could be reignited in the January transfer window.

Mikel Arteta is expected to want to move for a forward when the window opens in just a matter of weeks. Gyokeres, along with Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak are said to be two options for the Gunners.

However, as previously reported by football.london, the likelihood that they sign a striker who will make a huge difference in the second half of the season is unlikely due to the finances involved.

Manchester United interest

Having played under new Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim at Sporting, it’s no surprise that Gyokeres has been linked with a possible reunion at Old Trafford. However, it seems that they won’t make a move in January.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ between Amorim and Sporting, that he will not try to sign any of his former players in the January transfer window.

Romano said: “In the discussions between Sporting and Man United when they agreed on Amorim’s exit in November, there was also a gentleman’s agreement for United not to bring in any Sporting player in January. My expectation is for Manchester United to eventually look at Sporting players in the summer, if Amorim approves; not in January.

"I’m not aware of any sort of negotiation, as Man United will discuss strikers situation later in the next months and this is not a current hot topic."

Release clause

Gyokeres does have a release clause in his contract, set at €100 million (£83.16m). But it is said that the Portuguese club are willing to accept a lower fee in the summer window.

It is reported that Sporting will accept a figure of between €75-85m (£62.7m-£70.68m) at the end of the season.

What the player has said

Speaking while away on international duty with Sweden earlier this month, Gyokeres said: “I want to finish this season at Sporting. I love it here.

“New club? We will see when the time comes. I want to play, that’s crucial… and there will be also other factors.”

What Mikel Arteta has said

Arteta has now also spoke about the striker ahead of the meeting between Arsenal and Sporting this week. He said : "I understand the question but they have a lot of individual qualities. That’s why they can win games in various ways. And yes in the specific position they have great players."

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