Viktor Gyokeres 'tells friends and family his next club' after Arsenal and Manchester United bids
Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly told friends and family that he will sign for Arsenal this summer.
The Sporting striker is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war this summer and the Gunners are right in the mix to lure the former Coventry forward back to England.
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Standard Sport understands that Arsenal are in talks with both Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko over a summer deal, before making a decision on one as Mikel Arteta closes in on his much-desired striker.
Manchester United are also interested in Gyokeres, who has made no secret of his desire to leave Sporting this summer after two prolific seasons.
Sporting are demanding at least €70million (£59.6m) to begin negotiations over a fee, and reports last week suggested that Arsenal are now clear favourites to sign Gyokeres despite seeing an opening bid worth €55m (£47m) reportedly rejected.
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Gyokeres has set his sights on playing Champions League football, which has led to him 'officially rejecting' United and a reunion with former Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim.
There were suggestions from Gyokeres' camp that the player and Sporting has a 'gentleman's agreement' to sell for around £59m, which prompted a remarkable denial from club president, Frederico Varandas aimed at Gyokeres' agent, Hasan Cetinkaya.
Even so, talkSPORT report on Thursday that Gyokeres' confidence is so high that he has told friends and family that he expects to be an Arsenal player next season.
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