Arsenal find themselves in a peculiar position this season. Despite a promising start to their Premier League campaign, they ultimately failed to truly challenge Liverpool for the title, concluding another season without silverware and potentially finishing second for the third consecutive year.
Now, adding to their frustrations, they will be forced to watch their two biggest rivals, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, battle it out in the Europa League final in Bilbao. For Arsenal fans, this presents a unique dilemma: they might find themselves secretly hoping for a Tottenham victory.
The reason for this seemingly counter-intuitive wish lies in the transfer market, specifically concerning Sporting CP’s prolific striker, Viktor Gyokeres. Both Arsenal and Manchester United have identified the Swedish international as a top target to address their need for a consistent goalscorer. While Arsenal have been monitoring Gyokeres for some time, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, his former coach at Sporting, is reportedly keen on a reunion at Old Trafford this summer.
If Manchester United were to lose the Europa League final and consequently miss out on Champions League football for the upcoming season, Arsenal could potentially secure their target without facing as much competition. However, if the Red Devils emerge victorious, their increased financial power and the allure of Champions League football could make it more challenging, and potentially more expensive, for Arsenal to lure the 26-year-old to the Emirates Stadium.
Therefore, as unpleasant as it may sound for the Arsenal faithful, a Tottenham win in the Europa League could, in a strange twist of fate, work in their favour, particularly in the pursuit of Gyokeres.
Viktor Gyokeres has already achieved legendary status at Sporting, guiding the club to two consecutive Primeira Liga titles in his two seasons there. He is now focused on securing the Taca de Portugal, with Sporting set to face Benfica in the final on Sunday, May 25.
Overall, Gyokeres has amassed an incredible 53 goals across all competitions this season, including 39 goals in just 33 Primeira Liga appearances. Despite his impressive output, reports suggest that the 26-year-old could be available for significantly less than his hefty £84.1 million release clause.
Sporting are reportedly prepared to allow their star man to leave for a much lower bid as a gesture of respect for his commitment to the club. Gyokeres had multiple opportunities to move to other clubs last summer and again in the January transfer window, even after Amorim’s move to Manchester United. However, he chose to honor his contract with Sporting, ultimately playing a crucial role in securing another league title for them.
Consequently, Sporting may reportedly sanction his departure for a fee in the region of £54.7 million, which, considering his current form and prolificacy, would represent an extremely lucrative deal for any interested club.
If Manchester United were to win the Europa League, they would not only gain a significant financial boost but also the prestige of Champions League football next season. This would undoubtedly enhance their chances of convincing the 26-year-old forward to choose them over Arsenal, making the Europa League final a surprisingly pivotal fixture for Arsenal’s summer transfer plans.