Frank Christian
This season has presented Arsenal with an unusual situation; despite a strong start, they struggled to keep pace with Liverpool in the Premier League race.
The Gunners are set to finish the season without any trophies and risk ending up second in the league for the third time in a row.
Now, they must watch their main rivals, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, compete in the Europa League final in Bilbao.
Arsenal will be rooting for Tottenham to win, as it would block United from Champions League qualification and potentially hinder their summer recruitment plans.
Both clubs are in need of a reliable striker, which has led them to target Viktor Gyokeres as an ideal candidate.
While Arsenal has been keeping an eye on the Swedish forward for a while, Ruben Amorim, who recently left Sporting, is eager to bring him to Manchester United this summer.
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If United fails to win the Europa League final and misses out on Champions League football for next season, Arsenal might be able to secure Gyokeres without much competition.
On the other hand, if United triumphs, they may have to offer a higher fee to entice the 26-year-old to switch to the Emirates Stadium.
It may not sit well with Arsenal fans, but a Spurs victory in the Europa League could actually benefit them, particularly regarding the Gyokeres deal.
What makes Gyokeres potentially available for less than his release clause?
Gyokeres has become a fan favorite at his current club in Portugal, leading Sporting to two consecutive Primeira Liga titles in just two seasons.
He is now aiming for the Taca de Portugal trophy, facing Benfica in the final scheduled for Sunday, May 25.
This season, he has scored an impressive 53 goals in all competitions, including 39 in 33 Primeira Liga appearances.
According to reports, the 26-year-old could be acquired for significantly less than his £84.1 million release clause.
Sporting seems willing to let their star player go for a lower bid, acknowledging his respect for his contract.
He had chances to move last summer and during the January window after Amorim’s departure to United but chose to honor his contract and helped lead Sporting to another league title.
This means Sporting might entertain offers around £54.7 million, a favorable deal given his current performance levels.
If United manages to win the Europa League, they would have more funds and the allure of Champions League participation, making it easier to persuade the forward to join them instead of Arsenal.
Updates and related news about Arsenal
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- Mikel Arteta makes an impassioned pledge to end Arsenal’s trophy drought
- Declan Rice suggests the Premier League dream was ‘overwhelming’ as Arsenal pursued a Champions League title
