Sporting’s £47m Transfer Masterstroke Shatters Man Utd & Arsenal’s Hopes of Signing Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal and Manchester United have been hit with a major setback in their pursuit of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres after Sporting Lisbon sealed a lucrative deal for star defender Ousmane Diomande, drastically reducing any financial pressure to offload their top scorer. 

The Portuguese giants are poised to finalise a €55m (£47.2m) agreement with Crystal Palace for Diomande, a move that now strengthens their bargaining position in the transfer window. With that financial cushion, Sporting remain firm in demanding the full £85m release clause for Gyokeres, a figure neither Arsenal nor United have been willing to meet so far. 

Both English clubs had been leading the race to land Gyokeres, who has emerged as one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards. Arsenal, in particular, had a £60m bid rejected last month, sparking a war of words between Sporting’s president, Frederico Varandas, and the striker’s agent. 

“Threats, blackmail and insults don’t work with me,” Varandas said, taking a firm public stance. Gyokeres, who joined Sporting two years ago, is contracted until 2028 and remains a central figure in the club’s plans. 

The Diomande deal itself is also a statement of intent by Crystal Palace, who are reportedly including a significant sell-on clause to sweeten the deal for Sporting. The Ivorian defender, previously earning just €500,000 (£429,000) per year, is expected to receive a major pay bump as he heads to Selhurst Park. 

But the arrival of Diomande could trigger another domino effect. Palace captain and England international Marc Guehi is now expected to be on the move, with Liverpool in pole position to secure his signature. Guehi, who turns 25 this month, is in the final year of his contract and is unlikely to sign an extension. 

While Newcastle had been rebuffed in their pursuit of Guehi, Palace now face the choice of selling the center-back this summer or risk losing him on a free next year. 

Liverpool’s interest in Guehi aligns with their ongoing summer overhaul. The Reds have already splashed out £150m on Bayer Leverkusen duo Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, as well as £40m on Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez. Despite the big spending, exits from the squad have kept the club in the clear with financial regulations. 

As Liverpool reload, Palace restructure, and Sporting Lisbon fortify their finances, both Arsenal and Manchester United must now return to the drawing board. If they hope to land Gyokeres, it’ll take nothing less than £85m, and fast. 

The summer saga continues.