Manchester United are no longer said to be pursuing a deal for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyökeres after holding talks with the player’s representatives.
United had been monitoring the Swedish international for some time, with Ruben Amorim said to be keen on bolstering his attacking options this summer.
They met with the 27 year old’s camp recently, but ultimately decided not to table a formal offer, Portuguese outlet Record reports.
The decision marks a notable shift in the forward’s transfer saga.
Gyökeres, who enjoyed a prolific season at Sporting, has attracted significant interest from across Europe and beyond.
Clubs such as Juventus, Napoli, Al Hilal and Al Qadisiyah are all linked with a move for the striker, highlighting his rising stock.
However, the Swedish striker has reportedly made his choice, with Arsenal now leading the race to sign him.
The Gunners have entered into negotiations and are said to be Gyökeres’ preferred destination.
For United, the decision may be driven by financial prudence or a shift in transfer priorities.
With uncertainty still surrounding their budget and key positions needing reinforcement, the club may be focusing resources elsewhere.
According to i Paper, United won’t be drawn into a bidding war for the Sporting Lisbon forward, despite rumblings that the player is ready to push hard for a move this summer.
While Gyökeres enjoyed a standout season under Ruben Amorim—United’s new manager and long-time admirer, not everyone inside Old Trafford is fully sold on the striker’s fit.
There’s internal hesitation about whether the 27 year old offers the right attributes for the club’s long-term vision.
He’s still considered a strong option, but United are no longer approaching the situation with the same urgency they showed back in January, when Amorim first explored bringing him in.
For now, United appear prepared to walk away if the price seems unreasonable.
Victor Osimhen is another marquee name United could consider signing this window.
United’s exit from the race leaves Arsenal with a clear path to finalise a deal, assuming they can meet Sporting’s asking price.
Featured image: Stuart Franklin via Getty Images
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Raj Dholakia
Raj is a seasoned digital writer and editor with a deep-seated passion for football. With over four years in the digital space, he has contributed to Sportlens, ManUtdNews, and is now proudly writing for The Peoples Person. His work is driven by a commitment to capture the essence of football, delivering content that speaks to the heart of fans worldwide.
