Manchester United’s Higher Bid for Viktor Gyokeres Revealed
An Unexpected Turn in the Transfer Saga
An assistant to the agent of striker Viktor Gyokeres has disclosed that Manchester United proposed a more lucrative offer for the player than what ultimately secured his transfer to Arsenal.
Gyokeres has made ten appearances and netted three goals for the Gunners following his £64 million transfer from Sporting Lisbon earlier this summer. Arsenal triumphed over United in the bid for Gyokeres, following a protracted and competitive chase spanning several months.
Arsenal’s Successful Acquisition
The 27-year-old forward had an impressive record of 97 goals in 102 matches for Sporting Lisbon, making him a sought-after talent for clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United. Ultimately, Arsenal managed to finalize the deal, with manager Mikel Arteta capturing the player he was keen to recruit.
Significantly, Chalkias, an aide to Gyokeres’s agent Hasan Cetinkaya, revealed that Manchester United had indeed presented a more substantial financial offer, a revelation that has taken many by surprise.
Comments from Gyokeres’s Agent
“There were extravagant offers from Saudi Arabia,” Chalkias said. “We must act in our best interest.”
He added, “Do we also receive a cut of any fee? Absolutely. It’s considerable money. Perhaps Viktor will address that someday. I don’t believe we ever pressured him to accept the offer. Ultimately, money can come and go, and this transfer to Arsenal offers substantial marketing opportunities for us.”
Chalkias further claimed, “Sporting reached an agreement with Manchester United without our knowledge, which was problematic. United’s transfer fee was higher.”
United’s Alternatives Post-Gyokeres
Following their unsuccessful attempt to sign Gyokeres, Manchester United opted to invest £74 million in acquiring Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. They also brought in additional players Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. However, the team’s offensive strategy has struggled to find its rhythm under the management of Ruben Amorim.
