Arsenal and Chelsea £58m transfer pursuit handed twist in wake of Erik ten Hag Man Utd sacking

Arsenal and Chelsea could be handed a fresh twist in the pursuit of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres for future transfer windows with news that Ruben Amorim is on the verge of being appointed Manchester United manager.

The Gunners and Blues were just two of the Premier League clubs linked with a summer move for the Swedish talisman. Interest in the player's services still remains, with transfer specialist Florian Plettenberg this week confirming that Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City are all still looking at making a move for the 26-year-old.

Sporting CP have placed a £58 million price tag on the player, who has already bagged 16 goals in all competitions this term having plundered an eye-watering 43 last term. It is believed that the Portuguese club will allow the player to leave next summer, should that fee be met.

Amorim alchemy with Arsenal target Gyokeres

However, the imminent move of Sporting manager Amorim to Old Trafford could cause another Premier League outfit to enter the running. The Red Devils are known to be prioritising younger recruits under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but there is an undeniable alchemy between the Portuguese coach and the striker which will lead to inevitable rumours.

Gyokeres signed for Sporting from Coventry City in July 2023 and the player's agent Hasan Cetinkaya has been outspoken in the fact that Amorim was the reason that deal happened. He told Portuguese outlet Record: "Everyone was waiting for Viktor to sign with a Premier League club. I brought Viktor to Sporting for just one reason, and this is also something I said to Mr Amorim when I saw him for the first time.

“I said it before I even said hello to him: 'I only brought my player here because of you'. Therefore, I only brought Gyokeres to Sporting because of Ruben Amorim.

"There were eight Premier League clubs who made concrete proposals to Coventry and me, which guaranteed more money, more commissions and a higher transfer value than Sporting. I said no to everyone and told Viktor that Sporting was our next destination."

Man Utd lack talisman

Amorim will no doubt be keen to put his stamp on the Manchester United side, which is lacking a prolific talisman. The club's top scorer in the Premier League so far this season with just two goals is Alejandro Garnacho.

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Ziekzee have just one goal each and, used to having the extreme firepower of Gyokeres, several outlets have already suggested that Manchester United will rival Arsenal and Chelsea for the transfer.