Manchester United are said to have agreed a deal with Sporting CP to not allow Ruben Amorim to sign any of his former players during the January transfer window – including Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres.
Gyokeres joined Sporting from Coventry for £16.7million in July 2023 and he has since established himself as one of the most sought-after strikers in world football. Having scored 43 goals in 50 appearances during his first season at Sporting, Gyokeres has continued that form into this campaign, netting 23 times in 18 matches so far.
It’s no surprise that teams are interested in signing the 26-year-old scoring sensation, with Arsenal among those reported to be chasing his signature. The Gunners were linked with a big-money move for Gyokeres over the summer as the club tried to add a new No.9 but the club decided against it.
United are another of those linked with Gyokeres and Amorim’s appointment at Old Trafford has increased speculation that the Swede could be heading to Manchester. However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Gyokeres will certainly not be off to United in January.
Romano said: “In the discussions between Sporting and Man United when they agreed on Amorim’s exit in November, there was also a gentleman’s agreement for United not to bring in any Sporting player in January.
“This is because Sporting hope to win the title this season and they don’t want to lose any other part of the squad in January, after having the big shock of Ruben Amorim leaving in the middle of the season. My expectation is for Manchester United to eventually look at Sporting players in the summer, if Amorim approves; not in January.”
That no doubt would boost Arsenal’s position to sign Gyokeres if they wanted to test Sporting’s resolve in January. It’s unclear at this stage whether the Gunners will attempt to bring in a new centre forward in the winter transfer window after failing to recruit one over the summer, despite the sale of Eddie Nketiah.
Kai Havertz has started the season as Arsenal’s No.9 but his form has been mixed, having scored just seven times in 17 appearances across all competitions. Elsewhere, Gabriel Jesus could depart Arsenal in January after struggling with just one goal in 15 this term, with the Brazilian’s long-term future uncertain.
