Manchester United are set to miss out on one of their prime forward targets as the player closes in on a move to Arsenal this summer.
The Red Devils have been desperate to this summer to provide manager Ruben Amoirm with reinforcements to his side and have already added Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and are moving in on a deal for Bryan Mbeumo, despite having bids rejected.
However the third player to come through the door was looking likely to be a striker (dependant on player sales) and one of their preferred options now looks likely to move to the Premier League but not to Old Trafford.
Viktor Gyokeres in Advanced Talks with Arsenal
Manchester United had been holding talks with Gyokeres, but knew from an early stage that his preference was to link up with Arsenal due to their qualification to the UEFA Champions League next season.
Had Amorim’s side been able to overcome Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final and secure a spot, then he would likely have opted to link up with his former boss at Old Trafford.
However, despite Gyokeres‘ preference for Arsenal, he was not the Gunners first choice with Arteta preferring Benjamin Šeško. The Slovenian forward is proving to be more difficult to sign than initially expected with a deal moving further away sources have confirmed to THE DECK.
This has opened the door for Arsenal to negotiate with Sporting CP, who have been at war with the player over a gentleman’s handshake over the asking price according to Football Transfer Expert Sacha Tavolieri. A 5 year deal has reportedly already been agreed with the player’s camp and if a deal can be agreed with his club he will move to Arsenal this summer.
Manchester United Finances Limited Deals
The overhaul needed in the Manchester United squad is huge. The issue facing the decision makers is that most of the players they need to offload are not just unwilling to leave, but are also on astronomical wages that most clubs in the world cannot afford.
Jadon Sancho for example should be an attractive option to Napoli, Borussia Dortmund and clubs in Europe, but his approximately £300k wages cannot be met by the majority of clubs in world football meaning he can either sit there at Old Trafford and earn his big wages and leave for free next year or Man Utd may have to pay him off to go.
Rashford has a similar issue, his huge wages are putting off potential suitors, despite Bayern Munich emerging as a candidate this morning.
Without being able to offload some of these players, they cannot complete deals for Gyokeres or the like.
Journalist’s View
I remember sitting in Old Trafford as an eight year old watching the club in the Champions League. It was only a group stage game against Sturm Graz but I remember being amazed watching the talent on display. Ole Gunnar Solskaer and Roy Keane scored that day but the team boasted the likes of Giggs, Cole, Irwin Gary Neville and Dwight Yorke giving everything for the team.
I had followed my local team Lincoln City for a long time but seeing some of the top talent in the world dance on one of the best stages in the world was incredible. It is horrible to think now that an eight year old today going to the club will not have that same experience. Not only are the club not in the Champions League but many of the players pulling on that red shirt give the impression they do not want to be there. Sometimes I think they forget the kids around them, looking at them hoping to grab just a glimpse clutching tickets that their family had to save up to afford.
Hopefully we see that passion return to what should be the jewel in the crown of English Football.