Viktor Gyökeres appears to be prioritizing a move to Arsenal over Manchester United, according to the latest reports. The Sporting CP striker, who has been heavily linked with both clubs, has reportedly informed Manchester United that he will not be joining them, seemingly clearing the path for Arsenal to secure his signature.

Several factors are believed to be influencing Gyökeres' decision. Manchester United's recent struggles on the pitch, including a disappointing Premier League campaign and lack of Champions League football, have reportedly made them a less attractive option. Concerns about the club's "transformation process" and the perceived "greater sporting risk" associated with a move to Old Trafford have also been cited as reasons for his snub.

Arsenal, on the other hand, can offer Champions League football and a more stable environment under Mikel Arteta. The Gunners are keen to bolster their attacking options and see Gyökeres as a potential solution to their goal-scoring needs. It's also worth noting that the player seemingly prefers Arsenal, according to reports.

The transfer saga surrounding Gyökeres has been further complicated by a dispute between the player's representatives and Sporting CP. It has been reported that Gyökeres had a "gentleman's agreement" with the club to be allowed to leave for a fee below his release clause, but Sporting president Frederico Varandas has denied the existence of such an agreement. This has led to a back-and-forth between the two parties, with Gyökeres' agent claiming to have written proof of the agreement.

Adding another layer of complexity, reports suggest that Gyökeres' agent has a clause in his contract entitling him to 10% of any rejected bid exceeding £51 million. This could incentivize the agent to push for a higher transfer fee, potentially complicating negotiations with interested clubs.

Arsenal have already reportedly had a bid of around £55 million rejected for Gyökeres, and they are now said to be preparing a second offer. Sporting CP are believed to be holding out for a fee of at least €70 million (£59.2m) before agreeing to sell their star striker. It remains to be seen whether Arsenal are willing to meet Sporting's valuation, but Gyökeres' apparent preference for a move to the Emirates Stadium could give them an advantage in negotiations.

Manchester United, meanwhile, will have to turn their attention to other targets after seemingly missing out on Gyökeres. They have been linked with several other strikers, including Hugo Ekitike, but it remains to be seen who they will ultimately pursue. With the summer transfer window now open, both Arsenal and Manchester United will be keen to resolve their striker situations as quickly as possible.