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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

Viktor Gyokeres 'has Arsenal change of heart' after Manchester United contact

U-turn: Viktor Gyokeres - (AFP via Getty Images)

Viktor Gyokeres has had a change of heart over joining Arsenal this summer, with Manchester United now in pole position to sign the Sporting striker.

The striker is expected to leave Portugal this summer and is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between the two Premier League giants.

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It was reported earlier in June that Gyokeres had "officially" rejected United and a reunion with former Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim following Arsenal making their interest clear.

Portuguese outlet Record claimed that United have been made aware of Gyokeres' decision to snub a move to Old Trafford after talks with the player's agents.

Winner: Viktor Gyokeres (REUTERS)

Gyokeres was then said to have told friends and family that he will sign for Arsenal this summer, despite the Gunners being in talks with both Sporting and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko over summer deals, before making a decision on one.

Standard Sport understands that Sporting are demanding at least €70million (£59.6m) to begin negotiations over a fee, and recent reports suggested that Arsenal were clear favourites to sign Gyokeres despite seeing an opening bid worth €55m (£47m) reportedly rejected.

But The Mirror now claim that United are back in the frame, and seen by some as the most likely destination for Gyokeres despite being unable to offer Champions League football.

Arsenal are currently wrapping up deals for Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga, for a combined £15million, and are expected to step up moves for a striker next week after the PSR deadline passes on June 30.

The Gunners are said by some to favour Sesko, who could also prove a cheaper option with Sporting digging in their heels over an asking price for Gyokeres.

That has reportedly led Gyokeres to reassess other options, of which United is the most prominent.

The Mirror report that intermediaries have made contact on the player's behalf to inform United of his change of heart and that is ready to move to Old Trafford.

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