Manchester United’s failure to win the Europa League has dealt a significant blow to their chances of signing Viktor Gyokeres, with Arsenal now clear frontrunners if they pursue a move.
Sebastien Denis of Foot Mercato reports that Manchester United’s pursuit of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres was largely based on qualification for the Champions League.
Though United have had an awful domestic campaign, they had the opportunity to salvage something with a win in the Europa League final on Wednesday, securing Champions League football.
After falling at the final hurdle and losing the final, Denis reports that it’s going to be tough for United to compete with Arsenal. The club may instead need to turn to other options like Victor Osimhen or Liam Delap.
Ryan Taylor of the Mirror reports that Arsenal are now considered clear frontrunners for Gyokeres, if they want to follow up their initial interest.
Andrea Berta has been pushing the deal since joining Arsenal as the club’s new sporting director, but it remains to be seen whether he’s convinced Mikel Arteta that they should pursue the transfer.
It’s unlikely there will be any significant updates on that front in the next few days, as Gyokeres has specifically asked his agents to inform potential suitors to wait until after Sporting’s cup final this weekend before formalising their interest.
Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Gyokeres is preparing his exit, with a £60m transfer expected this summer.
Alex Crook previously wrote for talkSPORT that Arsenal’s Premier League rivals believed the Gunners were favourites for Gyokeres, and that the player favours the transfer to north London.
That’s surely even more of a certainty in the wake of Manchester United’s Europa League final defeat.