Arsenal takes bold steps in the Viktor Gyokeres transfer situation, adding an unexpected twist to the saga.

Viktor Gyokeres is one of the most sought-after players in the world, and his transfer saga involving Arsenal has taken another surprising turn.

After an impressive season at Sporting, where he scored 54 goals and won the Portuguese league title for the second year running, Gyokeres is prepared to leave the club.

The 27-year-old has garnered significant interest from Premier League teams, including Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea, all eyeing the former Coventry City striker.

A reunion with his previous manager, Ruben Amorim, appeared likely, but following their Europa League final loss and a disappointing Premier League campaign, Gyokeres reportedly declined a move to Manchester United, choosing instead to focus on joining Arsenal.

However, the situation shifted again recently. According to the Portuguese outlet Record, Arsenal was the first to submit an official bid for Gyokeres last week, but they have now paused the transfer. The deal is said to be “frozen,” as Sporting is unwilling to accept less than €80 million (£68 million). Arsenal’s initial offer was €55 million plus €10 million in add-ons, and they are not willing to increase it, casting doubt on the potential transfer.

Arsenal may now redirect their attention to Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig or consider Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa, who could be more attainable at a lower price.

This change in Arsenal’s interest complicates predictions about Gyokeres’ next destination. While he has turned down the chance to reunite with Amorim, Manchester United will likely keep their interest alive as long as he remains available. However, the absence of Champions League football could hinder their chances against other clubs.

Chelsea has also been linked to Gyokeres, but their recent acquisition of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town suggests they might already have their starting striker in mind.

Liverpool is another contender, with a striker still on manager Arne Slot’s radar after winning the Premier League title. Slot is currently focused on securing deals for Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez, but Liverpool may look for a striker later in the window, once the situations of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz are resolved. However, Gyokeres’ age could be a consideration, as Liverpool typically avoids long-term contracts for players over 30, with few exceptions.

Juventus and clubs from the Saudi Pro League are also showing strong interest in the striker.