£83m Arsenal transfer target 'unhappy' amid Manchester United manager links

Arsenal remain on the hunt for a striker, and one name that is perennially linked to the Gunners is Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has a release clause of £83m. In what could be a boost to Arsenal, Gyokeres is now said to be unhappy at his club.

Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim is set to join Manchester United to succeed Erik ten Hag who was sacked on Monday after United’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham last weekend. Gyokeres has been able to shine under the Portuguese manager as since joining Sporting CP in July 2023, he has scored 59 goals in 65 matches with 17 assists in what are Erling Haaland-like numbers for the Swedish international.

However, due to Amorim’s impending move to Old Trafford, Gyokeres is reportedly unhappy at the fact his boss is leaving Lisbon. According to Portuguese outlet Ojogo, the news of Amorim’s departure didn’t go down well with several members of the Sporting CP squad.

The report says that Gyokeres’ agent confirmed that the striker was only still at Sporting CP due to the manager amid several clubs’ interest in his signature. After their last game, a 3-1 win against Nacional where Gyokeres scored twice, he said: “He [Rúben Amorim] is here and that's what I'm focused on, we'll see what happens, I'm not going to wear myself out. It's not something I know about, it's not about me.”

Premier League clubs circle for unhappy Gyokeres

Arsenal have had an interest in the striker since the summer as they, alongside Chelsea have both been closely linked to Gyokeres. The striker has had an £83m release clause, but according to reports, Sporting CP have placed a reduced £58m price tag on him.

According to German Transfers Journalist Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City are all looking at making a move for the attacker. City view him as a potential replacement for Erling Haaland, should the Norwegian leave the Etihad in the near future.

Arsenal may have to come in with a hefty offer if they are to make a move for the 26-year-old. However, now that Amorim’s move to Old Trafford is imminent, the possibility of Gyokeres moving to United can’t be ruled out as he reveres the manager and United need more goals.

Arsenal have alternative targets to Gyokeres

The Gunners are keen to sign a striker, but they aren’t dead-set on landing the Swedish international. Recent reports have linked Arsenal to Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic who has six goals in 10 appearances so far this season.

Furthermore, Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran also remains a target for Arsenal after the 20-year-old has impressed this season so far. The Colombian has eight goals in all competitions this year despite the fact that Duran starts many of Villa’s games on the bench behind England international Ollie Watkins.

Should Gyokeres decide to leave Sporting CP, it would be surprising if the Gunners didn’t want to move for the 26-year-old, however with Premier League rivals interested, one of the alternative targets could seem a safer option.