Manchester United Allegedly Offered More Than Arsenal for Viktor Gyökeres, Agent's Assistant Claims

‎Sporting Lisbon winger-turned-star Viktor Gyökeres became Arsenal property in the summer of 2025, following a lengthy transfer saga. Conversations between clubs, agent representatives, and Sporting officials exposed a dramatic negotiation, with Arsenal eventually agreeing to pay an up-front fee of around £55 million plus approximately £8-£10 million in performance-based add-ons. 

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‎Agent’s aide says Manchester United agreed a higher fee to sign Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting than Arsenal paid; reveals behind-the-scenes drama.

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‎Statements from Jonathan Chalkias, assistant to Gyökeres’ agent Hasan Cetinkaya, indicate Manchester United had in fact “concluded a deal” with Sporting at a higher fee than Arsenal ultimately offered. According to Chalkias, Sporting preferred to sell to United, but Gyökeres chose to sign for the Emirates instead. 

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‎Sporting President Frederico Varandas criticised Gyökeres and his representatives for their conduct during the transfer negotiations, accusing them of using a “strategy” to force a summer exit. He suggested that these tactics disrespected Sporting’s status as reigning Liga Portugal champions. 

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‎Assistant agent Chalkias countered these criticisms, saying that had Sporting’s former director Hugo Viana still been involved, the deal would have been done more swiftly. Chalkias also asserted that although other major clubs—including Real Madrid—were linked, from the outset Gyökeres was committed to Arsenal. 

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‎Early performances at Arsenal have drawn mixed reviews: Gyökeres has scored three league goals in his first seven appearances, registering a brace in a dominant win over Leeds back in August. His next chance to impress comes as Arsenal prepare to face Fulham on Saturday, October 18. Manchester United meanwhile travel to Anfield to meet Liverpool in a high-profile clash in their upcoming fixture.