Viktor Gyökeres' future continues to take unexpected turns. Just when he seemed on his way to signing with Arsenal, the Swedish striker is once again linked with Manchester United, who are reportedly considering launching a move for the Sporting CP forward.

Arsenal stalls, and United sees an opening

Talks between Arsenal and Sporting have cooled in recent days. Negotiations have stalled due to the high release clause of around £69 million, a fee the Gunners are currently unwilling to meet. Meanwhile, Gyökeres, 27, has yet to report for pre-season training with the Portuguese club, fueling speculation about a potential Premier League switch.

According to Portuguese media, the striker may now be rethinking his earlier stance and is open to reopening talks with Manchester United, despite having turned them down on three previous occasions. The presence of coach Rúben Amorim, his former boss at Sporting, could play a key role in this renewed interest.

Fierce competition for a proven No.9

United’s interest makes sense. Despite already having Rasmus Højlund and recently signing Joshua Zirkzee, the club is still in the market for an experienced and reliable striker to compete at the highest level. Gyökeres, who had a standout season in Portugal, fits that profile perfectly.

However, Manchester United and Arsenal are not alone. Clubs like Atlético Madrid and Juventus have also shown interest in the Swedish international, adding pressure on him to make a decision soon. Unlike United, those clubs will participate in European competitions in the 2025-26 season, which could be a deciding factor.

Meanwhile, a new Paraguayan prospect arrives in Manchester

Amid all the Gyökeres drama, Manchester United has secured a promising signing for the future: 18-year-old Paraguayan fullback Diego León, who arrives from Cerro Porteño after playing 33 matches and scoring 4 goals with the first team. The deal, agreed upon last December for approximately $4 million, has now been finalized.

“I dreamed of this since I was a kid,” León said before boarding his flight to England. “I’m going there for preseason, and I’m going to crush it. In one or two games, I’ll be playing with them,” he added.

United continues to strengthen its present while building for the future.