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A fresh twist has emerged in the Viktor Gyokeres transfer saga, with an assistant to the striker’s agent claiming Manchester United had a bigger offer accepted by Sporting Lisbon before the player chose to join Arsenal.
Jonathan Chalkias, who works alongside Gyokeres’s agent Hasan Cetinkaya, told the Studio Allsvenskan podcast that Sporting quietly struck a deal with United — one his team only learned about after the fact. “Sporting had concluded a deal with Manchester United behind our backs. That was a problem. United offered a higher transfer fee,” he said.
Despite the size of the bid, Gyokeres turned down the Old Trafford move, instead forcing a transfer to Arsenal by refusing to train with Sporting during the final stretch of the summer window.
Arsenal Move Driven by Commitment, Not Cash
Chalkias was clear that money wasn’t the deciding factor for the 27-year-old striker, who had interest from Saudi clubs as well. “There were crazy amounts offered from Saudi Arabia,” he admitted. “But from day one there was a commitment to Arsenal.”
He also defended the agency’s role in the process, rejecting claims that they pressured Gyokeres to make the move. “At the end of the day, money comes and goes, and this move to Arsenal brings us a lot of marketing.”
Sporting President Hits Back
Sporting president Frederico Varandas did not take kindly to how Gyokeres forced his exit. He publicly criticised the player’s “strategy,” accused him of disrespecting the club, and vowed to issue a “hefty fine” for skipping training sessions.
“If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think this puts pressure on me, they’re wrong,” said Varandas. “They are making it more complicated for the player to leave. No one is bigger than the club.”
Chalkias fired back, saying the striker deserved better after helping Sporting to three trophies and scoring nearly a goal per game during his time in Portugal. “Everything was written, but we didn’t have time to start a legal battle,” he said. “I don’t understand how a player who scored so many goals didn’t deserve more respect.”
A Quiet Start at Arsenal
Since arriving in north London, Gyokeres has yet to fully hit his stride. He has scored just three goals in his first ten appearances, a far cry from his record-breaking run at Sporting. Still, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains supportive of the striker.
After Arsenal’s 2–0 win over West Ham, Arteta said, “I just hugged him and said thank you because the work he does is unbelievable. The way he stretches the back four and opens up space… how he hasn’t scored today, I don’t know.”
What It Means for United and Arsenal Fans
For Manchester United supporters, the revelation adds another layer of frustration. If United truly had a deal in place and were outmanoeuvred at the last moment, it will feel like another misstep in a long line of recent transfer frustrations.
Arsenal fans, on the other hand, may feel validated. Despite other clubs offering more money, Gyokeres’s loyalty to their project speaks volumes — but patience will wear thin if the goals don’t come soon.
Sporting fans are left questioning how the club handled one of its most valuable assets, with suggestions of behind-the-scenes dealing further muddying the waters.
What’s Next
With the international break underway, all eyes will be on Gyokeres when Arsenal return against Fulham. The expectation is clear — start delivering in front of goal, or risk becoming the subject of more uncomfortable headlines.
This saga may be over on paper, but off the pitch, it looks far from settled.
