Manchester United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres with Arsenal considering the Sporting striker as a ‘backup target’.
Gyokeres is a transfer target for Premier League clubs after a prolific period in Portugal. The Swedish striker has scored 70 goals in 76 games since signing for Sporting and has been linked with following former manager Ruben Amorim to Manchester United in January.
Arsenal are also keeping a close eye on the 26-year-old’s situation, though Gyokeres is not the club’s number one target. Mikel Arteta wants to bring in a centre-forward to sharpen his side in the final third.
However, according to Football Transfers, the North London side’s preferred option remains Benjamin Sesko. Arsenal failed in a move to sign the RB Leipzig striker last summer.
Sesko has scored 29 goals in 65 appearances for Leipzig and is valued in the region of £60m at the Red Bull Arena. At 21, he is viewed as an ideal long-term option for an Arsenal side who have thrived from set-pieces. The club’s interest could accelerate with Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling facing weeks on the sidelines.
Arsenal’s interest in Sesko will be welcomed in Manchester. United are considering signing a more experienced forward with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee unconvincing this season. Between them, the duo have scored just five Premier League goals.
Manchester United are the bottom half of the table at Christmas for the first time in 35 years this season and it has been speculated that funds could be freed to invest in the January transfer window.
Read – Manchester United plan January spree as Amorim era stalls
See more – Premier League Team of the Week – Isak, Salah, Murillo