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Man Utd to lock horns with Arsenal over summer’s hottest striker

By on June 27, 2025

Premier League powerhouses – Manchester United and Arsenal are set to collide in a high-stakes transfer battle this summer as their pursuit of Sweden and Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres gets more intense.

Gyökeres has featured for the Portuguese outfit for the last two seasons since joining from Coventry in 2023, helping the Portuguese giants to their 20th and 21st Primeira Liga titles.

According to multiple reports, Gyökeres, having turned down huge money moves last summer, is now ready for a new challenge. The Swedish International is reportedly pushing to force an exit from Sporting CP, adding fuel to the fire as two of England’s biggest clubs prepare for a bidding war. 

Both sides are desperate to strengthen their front line with a clinical finisher ahead of the 2025/26 season, and this developing saga promises to be one of the headline stories of the transfer window.

What Fuels Manchester United’s interest?

Manchester United have admired Viktor Gyökeres for a long time, and his impressive stats make a summer move seem like an easy decision for the Red Devils as their €78 million signing from Atlanta (Rasmus Højlund) and €42.5m signing from Bologna (Joshua Zirkzee) has since failed to meet up to expectations. Perhaps, not by his own doing but by the poor performance of the team in recent seasons.

This season, Højlund scored only four league goals in 32 Premier League games and 10 in 52 appearances in all competitions, which helps explain why he’s been linked with a move away from Manchester United although having a lengthy contract that extends till 2030. However, it’s important to remember that he led the attack for a team where no player reached double digits for goals in the Premier League. United ended the season with just 44 league goals – their worst attacking record in the top flight since 1974. So, Højlund’s struggles in front of goal were part of a wider issue across the whole team. Joshua Zirkzee on the other hand, showed earlier signs of being a reliable forward but also struggled with consistency. He ended up scoring seven times and making three assists in 49 games in all competitions.

Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United side also made a negative history, suffering the club’s worst campaign in history – finishing 15th in the Premier League table with only 42 points (11W, 9D, and 18L) from 38 games. Losing the UEFA Europa League finals to Tottenham further tarnished dreams of playing European football next season. 

Several stats highlight Man Utd’s lack of drive and attacking intent in the Premier League over the past eight months. One clear example is how often each team in the Premier League took the lead in matches. Manchester United managed to go in front only 16 times – exactly half as often as champions Liverpool did. That was the lowest number for any team outside the bottom three. Simply put, Man United struggled to put pressure on their opponents, and that seriously affected their attacker’s chances of scoring.

The Club’s management is now taking advantage of the summer transfer window to create a title-worthy team and this is evident in their pursuits of creative playmakers – Wolve’s Matheus Cunha (signed for €74.20m) and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo amongst other targets.

Manchester United is currently leading the race to sign Viktor Gyökeres who is valued at around €70m including add-ons. The experienced striker having worked and flourished under Ruben Amorim in his first spell at Sporting CP will find United as a more favorable option although lack of European competition next season may arise as a key factor. Last season alone, Gyökeres scored 54 times and made 13 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions, winning the Liga Portugal Golden Boot for a second straight season. Arsenal and Juventus are still very much potential candidates to win the Swedish’s signature this summer with a transfer away from Portugal looking more likely. 

Should the club fail to land the Portuguese striker this summer, they remain invested in the situations of Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko and former Fulham and Al-Hilal striker – Aleksandar Mitrović. More recently, the Red Devils are looking at the possibility of signing Victor Osimhen from Napoli, a deal that could see Joshua Zirkzee heading in the other direction.

Arsenal’s Renewed Interest in Viktor Gyökeres

Arsenal are making progress in their efforts to sign Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres and may end their pursuit of RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

After failing to secure the striker’s services last summer, the Gunners remain keen to bring the goal machine to North London. Mikel Arteta is looking to bring in a new first-choice striker this summer to further strengthen their challenge in Europe next season. They have been strongly linked with both Sesko and Gyokeres in recent weeks.

Benjamin Sesko had an outstanding season with the German outfit last season, scoring 13 goals and providing 5 assists in 33 games. He has become a top target for Arsenal, Manchester United, and Saudi Arabian club – Al Hilal. The Slovenian striker is fast, well-skilled, and uses his strength and movement to cause problems in the opponent’s defense. He’s good in the air, confident with both feet, and makes smart runs. He also has a strong shot and isn’t afraid to take chances from outside the box.

His physical presence and sharp finishing make him a constant threat in and around the penalty area, making him an ideal striker for any team. However, signing Sesko is proving to be difficult, as Arsenal are unwilling to pay his €80 million (£67 million) release clause. Although talks with Leipzig are still ongoing, Arsenal who has reportedly reached an agreement over personal terms with Sesko have set a deadline to reach an agreement with Leipzig and may turn to other options when the transfer window reopens later this month. With Gyökeres forcing an exit from Sporting CP, he remains a cheaper option for Arsenal who remain without Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz; both recovering from torn ACL injuries.

Man U to Bag Another Academy Prodigy

Manchester United has agreed to sign 16-year-old Harley Emsden-James, with the club’s promise of a long-term plan and a clear pathway to the first team playing a big role in his decision.

Emsden-James, a centre-back from the Southampton academy caught the attention of scouts thanks to his strength, strong passing, and athletic ability. Several Premier League clubs were interested in the young defender, who is considered one of England’s top talents. He made two appearances for Southampton’s U18 side last season, coming off the bench against Crystal Palace and Arsenal.

Manchester United are set to pay Southampton around £1 million in compensation for his services, notably the same amount they paid to acquire starboy Chido Obi from Arsenal last year.

GET MANCHESTER UNITED TICKETS FOR THE 2025/26 SEASON!

Pre-season is here and the Red Devils are working hard to rebuild after a tough 2024/25 season. The team is determined to bounce back stronger and is already showing signs of progress as they prepare for the new campaign. With more new players expected to come in and a fresh focus on attacking football, there’s growing excitement around what’s to come at Old Trafford.

Be there to support the Red Devils as they aim for a much-improved season. Buy Man UTD tickets now and don’t miss a moment of the action across all the venues. Tickets for the new season are already in high demand. Official sites may not always have availability, especially for these big matches. That’s why trusted reseller platforms are the best way to secure your seat quickly and safely.