According to reports, Sporting are frustrated with ongoing negotiations over the striker’s performance-based add-ons and have offered United a fresh chance to hijack the transfer for the second time in two weeks.

Although Arsenal agreed to a €63.5 million initial fee with Sporting, the sticking point remains a contested €10 million in bonuses. Sporting’s board reportedly believes Arsenal’s proposed conditions—based on goals, titles, and Champions League progression—are not guaranteed enough to justify the valuation, leading the Portuguese club to explore alternative bidders.

In that context, United re-emerge as a convenient and financially capable party, especially under new sporting direction.

Amorim’s Influence Gives United Fresh Leverage

Manchester United’s renewed pursuit is further complicated—and perhaps empowered—by the recent arrival of Ruben Amorim as head coach. Amorim managed Gyökeres at Sporting last season, guiding the Swedish forward to a breakout year both domestically and in Europe.

Under Amorim, Gyökeres scored 43 goals across competitions and was widely regarded as one of Europe’s most complete No. 9s.

Amorim’s close relationship with the striker reportedly fuels belief within United that a reunion is realistic despite Gyökeres’ publicly stated intention to join Arsenal. While no formal bid has been submitted in recent days, multiple sources suggest discussions are ongoing behind the scenes, with Old Trafford officials monitoring Arsenal’s slow progress and preparing to pounce if talks collapse.

United’s interest only adds pressure on Arsenal, who have already spent heavily this summer and may hesitate to increase their financial exposure for a single target. However, with United needing a high-caliber striker to complement Rasmus Højlund and Arsenal still looking to replace Gabriel Jesus’ injury-prone presence up front, both clubs are invested in landing Gyökeres.

Gyökeres Still Set on Arsenal—But Frustrations Grow

Despite Sporting’s open-door tactics and United’s late-stage maneuvering, Viktor Gyökeres still favors a move to the Emirates. Multiple reports, including those from Fabrizio Romano and Portuguese daily A Bola, confirm that the 25-year-old has given priority to working under Mikel Arteta and is eager to make the switch before Arsenal’s Premier League campaign begins.

However, the player’s frustration is reportedly growing. Sources close to the deal say Gyökeres is becoming impatient with the pace of negotiations and worried that indecision on bonuses may derail an agreement that has been largely settled in principle for weeks.

Arteta, for his part, has remained non-committal, stating only that Arsenal “are short in numbers” and that the club “continue to explore opportunities in the market.”

A Decisive Week Ahead

With the Premier League season fast approaching, the Gyökeres saga could take a decisive turn within days.

Sporting aim to finalize his sale early in August, United remain quietly in the frame, and Arsenal must now decide whether to meet Sporting’s full terms, or risk losing their No. 1 attacking target.