Viktor Gyokeres transfer latest - Arsenal interest, January 'gentleman agreement', contract stance

The January transfer window is less than two months away and rumours are already heating up with Arsenal among a number of Premier League clubs linked with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Gyokeres already has 23 goals and four assists to his name for his club across all competitions this season, and he appears on course to match last term's tally of 43 goals. Arsenal, Manchester United, and to a lesser extent Liverpool and Chelsea, have all been credited with interest in the Sweden international in recent times.

Here, football.london breaks down the latest on Arsenal's interest in signing Sporting CP striker Gyokeres.

Amorim's 'gentleman agreement'

One of Arsenal's biggest challengers for the Sweden international's signature is Premier League rivals Manchester United. To make matters worse, the Red Devils have just poached the Portuguese club's manager, Ruben Amorim, to replace Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dug out.

That being said, it has now emerged from journalist Fabrizio Romano that the striker will not follow in his former manager's footsteps in January. Not only are United not prioritising a forward in the next transfer window, but Amorim also agreed not to pursue any of Sporting's players so soon after his exit.

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."

Gyokeres gives transfer answer

Gyokeres only signed for Sporting CP from Coventry City in the summer of 2023 and he remains under contract until 2028. It has also been reported the striker has a release clause of €100M (£83m), which is significantly more than what Manchester City paid to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

The player also has no intention of leaving Portugal before the end of the season as he targets a second consecutive league title with Sporting this season. “I want to finish this season at Sporting,” he said while away on international duty with Sweden. “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.”

Arsenal interest explained

The desire among fans for Arsenal to bolster their attacking ranks is growing exponentially as they sit nine points adrift from Liverpool in the Premier League standings. However, football.london has previously explained the likelihood of signing a striker in January is slim due to the need to bring someone in capable of challenging Haaland.

Gyokeres and his compatriot Alexander Isak are the two most heavily linked with a move to the Emirates, but the summer of 2025 appears to be likelier time a move can be pursued, although they will also face significant competition from their rivals.

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