Viktor Gyökeres, the prolific Swedish striker currently playing for Sporting CP, has subtly hinted at his personal preference for staying in Lisbon, even as rumors continue to swirl about a potential summer transfer to either Arsenal or Manchester United.
The 26-year-old forward has turned heads across Europe with his extraordinary goal-scoring prowess—registering an incredible 96 goals in just 101 appearances for the Portuguese club.
His remarkable form has inevitably attracted serious interest from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.
Manchester United were initially seen as front-runners in the race to sign him, partly because of Gyökeres’ past working relationship with United’s current manager, Ruben Amorim, who coached him during his time at Sporting.
However, recent developments suggest that Arsenal may now have a slight advantage. The Gunners’ qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League and their strong recent performances have boosted their appeal to top talents.
Additionally, their new sporting director, Andrea Berta, is reportedly a big fan of Gyökeres and may push hard for the club to bring him to North London.
Still, Arsenal have not fully committed to signing Gyökeres, as they continue to evaluate other striker options, including RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško.
Amid this uncertainty, Gyökeres shared some insight during a recent interview with Portuguese sports outlet A Bola, where he was asked whether he preferred living in London or Lisbon.
He responded candidly, stating that he enjoys Lisbon more, since it’s where he currently lives and he’s grown fond of the lifestyle.
While he didn’t comment directly on his professional plans, his response suggested that he may not be in a hurry to leave Sporting CP.
Further complicating matters, Gyökeres’ uncle, Chris, recently made headlines by telling reporters that the family had decided Viktor would remain at Sporting for the upcoming season.
Chris mentioned that the decision came after a family dinner and expressed the family’s happiness with Sporting’s recent league title.
He also praised the club’s fan base and the celebratory atmosphere, hinting that stability might be the best path forward.
However, Gyökeres himself later tempered those comments, clarifying that no final decision has been made about his future.
While he acknowledged his family’s appreciation for Portugal and the lifestyle it offers, he made it clear that he’s keeping his options open as the summer transfer window approaches.
With top clubs circling and big decisions ahead, his next move remains uncertain.
