Statement signing: Manchester United prepare £64.6m deal to beat Arsenal

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Siddharth Juyal | Last updated Jul 20, 2025 11:36 AM ET

Manchester United are planning to outsmart Arsenal and sign Sporting CP attacker Viktor Gyokeres under manager Ruben Amorim this summer. Gyokeres enjoyed his prolific rise to stardom during Amorim’s tenure with Sporting Lisbon, achieving great individual and collective success consistently.

Amorim succeeded Erik ten Hag in the middle of the last season, as United needed a drastic change to improve. However, the Portuguese boss has struggled to implement his plan and tactical philosophy under the preferred 3-4-2-1 formation at United.

United have prioritised the attacking department during this summer, signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves and nearing the Bryan Mbeumo deal. However, the biggest cog in their attack is the number nine position, which lacks a regular face to represent United.

Both Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have failed to establish themselves as reliable and consistent performers in the striker role. The Red Devils want someone with a prolific record and more of a finished product than just a mere potential.

According to the Portuguese publication A Bola, United have offered a bigger deal for Gyokeres than what Arsenal have offered Sporting CP this summer. Arsenal have verbally agreed a deal which includes an initial £55m plus £8.6m in add-ons (£64.6m in total) for Gyokeres.

We All Follow United covered that United need to sell before buying a striker, but Arsenal’s progression potentially changed things. The Red Devils have already spent around £140m to sign Mbeumo and Cunha amid their ongoing financial situation.

They need to sell their surplus players like Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia this summer to raise the funds. United have numerous positions that they need to address this summer after enduring a horrible last season.

The Red Devils finished 15^th in the Premier League last season, highlighting the problems Amorim faced in every department. Nevertheless, a potential signing of Gyokeres is a big boost for the Portuguese manager, as the Swedish forward understands Amorim’s requirements and demands perfectly.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

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