Arsenal’s search for a new striker has seen them look far and wide, with Viktor Gyokeres one of those to be recently linked with a switch.
The striker has impressed since moving from Coventry to Sporting CP, hitting the heights with plenty of goals in Portugal and the Champions League.
A tall, marauding forward with an eye for goal, he has all the attributes to be a dangerous option in the front line of any team.
That has seen Arsenal linked with a transfer for Gyokeres, with Mikel Arteta still missing that clinical centre-forward to get a Premier League title push over the line.
The Gunners aren’t the only ones interested though as reports state that Manchester United have also been linked with the Swedish international – naturally since his old head coach Ruben Amorim has joined the club.
If Arsenal are to battle with the Red Devils for Gyokeres, then the forward himself will have a say on where he may end up.
With that in mind, a recent transfer admission paints mixed news for both clubs in their hopes of sealing a deal.
Viktor Gyokeres makes fresh transfer claim
Ahead of the January transfer window, Gyokeres has set a clear stance on a move as well as the conditions required for a deal to go through.
He said, via Fabrizio Romano: “I want to finish this season at Sporting. 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.”
It’s a blow to both Man United and Arsenal if they were hoping to land the 26-year-old during the upcoming January transfer window.
However, his hints towards a transfer at the end does suggest that there is some interest in moving to the Premier League.
The crucial factor of game time will play a part in convincing the start to join the project at the Emirates Stadium, while other factors are currently unknown.
Arsenal and Manchester United striker options compared
If there’s one thing that Arsenal may have an advantage over Man United in, it’s that there’s a clear space there for an incoming centre-forward.
Kai Havertz is plenty capable enough to play behind the striker as well as up front if required, giving some room to move him around.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus has lost that spark he had when joining the club from Manchester City and his slip down the pecking order suggests his future may not be so secure.
Compare that to Manchester United, who have far less guarantees when it comes to game time after recent transfers.
The additions of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee suggest that the Red Devils are looking to develop these players into superstars rather than buy a current top striker.
Landing Gyokeres would not only hinder their progress but it may result in less game time for the forward as a result.
| Striker options | Arsenal | Manchester United |
| 1st choice | Kai Havertz | Rasmus Hojlund |
| 2nd choice | Gabriel Jesus | Joshua Zirkzee |
| 3rd choice | Leandro Trossard | Marcus Rashford |
There are also some centre-forward options for the teams if they are desperate, such as Leandro Trossard and Marcus Rashford – who can both do a job there, even though it’s not their most natural position.
Overall though, it suggests that it would make more sense for Gyokeres to join Arsenal for game time over Manchester United.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
