Manchester United have taken pole position in the pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, with INEOS reportedly offering a marginally higher bid than Arsenal for the Sporting Lisbon striker.
Last week, Arsenal managed to reach an agreement with Sporting over a fee, as reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein. He noted the deal involved a €63.5 million upfront payment plus €10 million in add-ons, with the striker’s agent foregoing his fee to facilitate the move.
However, ongoing discussions about the deal’s structure have stalled progress. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano explained the difficulties, with Arsenal negotiating over €3 million in bonuses that Sporting are keen to simplify to €10 million.
Portuguese media outlet A Bola highlighted the fragility of the situation, stating that the deal risks collapsing. Reports suggest Gyokeres’ father has been distressed by the impasse, with the player feeling distanced from a potential move to London.
SIC claims Manchester United are now on the brink of an agreement with Sporting. INEOS have matched and slightly exceeded Arsenal’s offer, with figures speculated to lie between €70 million and €80 million.
Swedish outlet Maisfutebol reports that negotiations between United and Sporting resumed after Arsenal neared a deal for Bryan Mbeumo. Both parties are allegedly nearing an agreement, positioning United as frontrunners for the Swedish striker’s signature.
Gyokeres’ reaction to United’s swift approach remains uncertain, given his prior emphasis on joining Arsenal to compete in the Champions League and contend for major titles.
READ MORE FOOTBALL TRANSFER STORIES: