Manchester United target set to join rival Premier League side in deal worth €80m: Reports

Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, a Manchester United target, is reportedly set to join Arsenal in a deal worth €80 million. The 27-year-old is coming off a brilliant season.

Gyokeres struck an impressive 54 times and also delivered 13 assists in 52 games across competitions. That includes 39 strikes and eight assists in 33 outings in the Primeira Liga, as Sporting defended their title, finishing two points clear of Porto (80).

Although he's contracted to the Estadio Jose Alvalade till 2028, Gyokeres has been the subject of interest from Premier League bigwigs United and the Gunners. As reported by Maisfutebol (via Centredevils), Mikel Arteta's seem to have stolen a march on their domestic rivals, with a deal expected to be concluded on Sunday.

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Gyokeres' rich haul saw finish behind only Real Madrid hitman Kylian Mbappe in the race for the European Golden Boot, despite scoring more league goals than the Frenchman, owing to the Primeira Liga's lesser UEFA co-offecient (1.5) compared to the EPL (2).

The Gunners, meanwhile, are coming off a third-straight second-placed Premier League finish, while United finished a lowly 15th. Both sides fared well in Europe, though, with Arteta's side losing to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, while United fell to domestic rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes laments compatriot Diogo Jota's untimely demise

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes (right)

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes were among many from the footballing fraternity who expressed their condolences to Liverpool attacker Diogo Jota, who was involved in a fatal car crash earlier this week.

Jota, and his younger brother, Andre, were on their way from Porto to Santander to catch a ferry back to England to report for pre-season training when their Lamborghini experienced a tyre blowout while overtaking and went off the road.

The incident in the Spanish province of Zamora killed both brothers, as reported by the Guardia Civil. Jota was recovering from a minor surgery and was advised against flying by his doctor.

Fernandes, who attended Jota's funeral service in Portugal, posted on Instgram (as per United's website):

“Friend, colleague, and companion in a thousand battles. It’s hard to understand how it’s possible for someone to leave so soon. “May you and your brother find the peace you need to look after those who lost you so suddenly and so soon. My condolences to all your family.”

Other Manchester United players, past and present, like Cristiano Ronaldo, Mason Mount and Harry Maguire also offered their condolences.

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Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 20 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Bhargav