In a sensational twist to last summer’s transfer saga, an assistant to Viktor Gyokeres’s agent has revealed that Sporting Lisbon had already reached an agreement with Manchester United before the Swedish striker completed his £64 million move to Arsenal.
Jonathan Chalkias, assistant to agent Hasan Cetinkaya, made the claims during an appearance on Studio Allsvenskan, alleging that United’s offer exceeded Arsenal’s bid but the move collapsed after the player refused to sanction the deal.
According to Chalkias, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Manchester United had agreed to pay “over the odds” to secure Gyokeres following his blistering run of form in Portugal, where he scored 97 goals in 102 appearances. The Red Devils viewed the powerful forward as the ideal successor to Rasmus Højlund and had opened discussions directly with Sporting’s top brass.
“Sporting had concluded a deal with Manchester United behind our backs,” Chalkias said. “United offered a higher transfer fee. It was a big surprise, and we didn’t expect that kind of move after our commitment to Arsenal.”
Behind-the-Scenes Drama: ‘They Went Behind Our Backs’
The agent’s assistant painted a picture of tension and mistrust between Sporting Lisbon and Gyokeres’s representatives. Chalkias accused the Portuguese club of negotiating secretly with United even while the player’s camp was finalizing terms with Arsenal.
“There were crazy amounts offered from Saudi Arabia too,” he said. “But we were acting in our best interest. Sporting’s deal with United was concluded without our knowledge — that was the main problem.”
He further revealed that Sporting’s management saw United’s bid as the more lucrative option and preferred selling their talisman to Old Trafford rather than the Emirates. Despite the apparent betrayal, Gyokeres reportedly remained loyal to his initial commitment to Arsenal and rejected the move to reunite with former manager Ruben Amorim.
“Maybe Viktor Gyökeres should respond one day,” Chalkias added. “We never pressured him to choose Arsenal. It wasn’t about the money; it was about trust and the project. And Arsenal’s move brought us huge marketing value.”
Sporting’s Anger and the Gyökeres’s Rebellion
Gyokeres’s transfer saga turned sour when he reportedly went on strike to force his exit, drawing fierce criticism from Sporting president Frederico Varandas. The club’s supporters were equally unforgiving, accusing the striker of disloyalty after two prolific seasons.
Varandas responded with a scathing statement, warning that Gyokeres would face a hefty fine and branding his transfer tactics “disrespectful” and “misguided.”
“If those behind this strategy think they can pressure me, they’re completely wrong,” Varandas declared. “No one is bigger than the club.”
However, Gyokeres’s camp has now hit back, insisting that the player was treated unfairly. Chalkias argued that Sporting failed to show adequate respect for a player who had delivered trophies and goals in abundance.
“If (Hugo) Viana were still there, the deal would’ve been done in an hour,” he said. “We sacrificed a lot to make the transfer happen. Viktor scored countless goals, won three trophies, and yet was treated as if he meant nothing. The lack of trust from the club was disappointing.”
The Arsenal Chapter: A Modest Start but Strong Backing from Arteta
Since joining Arsenal, Gyokeres has had a mixed start to life in North London, scoring three goals in his first ten appearances. While his finishing has come under scrutiny, manager Mikel Arteta remains publicly supportive of the striker’s work ethic and influence on the pitch.
Following Arsenal’s 2–0 win over West Ham, Arteta praised Gyokeres’s selfless play: “I just went there and hugged him and said thank you because the work he does is unbelievable for the team,” the Spaniard said. “The way he stretches defences and creates space is vital. How he hasn’t scored today, I don’t know.”
The Gunners’ victory sent them back to the top of the Premier League, overtaking Liverpool after their defeat at Chelsea. Gyokeres will look to rediscover his scoring touch when Arsenal return from the international break for a short trip to Fulham.
Industry Fallout: Questions Over Transfer Ethics and Trust
The revelations from Chalkias have reignited the debate over trust and transparency in football transfers. His claim that Sporting and Manchester United reached an agreement “behind our backs” raises questions about how much power clubs exert over players’ futures — and how agents navigate those pressures.
“This industry is about trusting people,” Chalkias reflected. “When that trust is broken, everything becomes complicated. We had to stand firm for Viktor’s choice.”
With Manchester United still struggling for goals and Arsenal currently top of the league, the saga underscores how small margins and private negotiations can shape the destinies of clubs and players alike. For Gyokeres, his choice may have cost him a reunion with Amorim — but it earned him the chance to lead the line for a title-chasing Arsenal side
