Arsenal’s hopes of signing Victor Gyökeres from Sporting have been given an inadvertent boost by their neighbours Spurs.
Tottenham’s defeat of Manchester United in the Europa League final means that not only have they claimed a Champions League spot next season, but also that United will not be playing football of any kind.
And given that could have been worth up to ₤150 million in terms of ticket sales, broadcast revenues and sponsorship deals, they can no longer afford to buy the Swede, who had been linked with them because he had played at Sporting under Rúben Amórim.
The player is also ambitious, and the project at Old Trafford is not one that will be attractive to anybody with hopes of winning silverware in the immediate future.
That would now appear to give the Gunners not only a clear run at the player, but also the opportunity to bargain on price, knowing they are now the only serious bidder for him.
