Viktor Gyokeres's 'expected preference' for a summer transfer has reportedly been revealed as Arsenal and Manchester United battle to win the race for the Sporting Lisbon talisman.
While Manchester United could still end the season with silverware in the form of a Europa League trophy, the Gunners were left to rue missed opportunities against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Thanks to a combination of several factors - a lack of a clinical striker, mistakes and Gianluigi Donnarumma putting in two inspired displays - Arsenal's European dream crashed and burned in a 3-1 semi-final aggregate loss to the French champions.
Once again, Mikel Merino was forced to fill in up front for Mikel Arteta's men due to the absences of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, which Arsenal failed to address during the January transfer window.
However, the Gunners should not begin next season without a big-money number nine leading the line, and their hopes of landing Gyokeres from Sporting appear to have been handed a major boost.
Gyokeres 'likely to prefer Arsenal over Man United'
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According to The Telegraph, the Sweden international is 'expected to prioritise' joining Arsenal over Man United, in spite of his close relationship with Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.
Man United will be in the Champions League next season if they can win the Europa League, but they have endured their worst-ever Premier League season, while Arsenal sit second in the table in spite of their struggles.
It would take a disaster for Arteta's men to slip out of the top five of the Premier League table now, and the Emirates Stadium is now seen as Gyokeres's 'most likely' destination if he was to leave Sporting.
The ex-Coventry City man has apparently not informed his current club of his summer plans, but Sporting are braced for his departure and have already identified four unnamed replacements should a transfer come to fruition.
Gyokeres's contract includes a release clause set at a reported £85m, but Sporting are expected to be receptive to bids of around £60m as a token of thanks to the Swede for his service to the club.
The 26-year-old has conjured up an astounding 95 goals and 27 assists in 99 matches for the Portuguese giants, including 52 efforts and 12 helpers from just 49 appearances in the current campaign.
Gyokeres Arsenal move would complete long-standing Andrea Berta mission
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New Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is expected to be the mastermind behind Gyokeres's prospective move to North London, having admired the 1998-born sensation for a number of years now.
Berta tried and failed to strike a deal for Gyokeres while working for Atletico Madrid, but he has never lost sight of the Scandinavian and is thought to have made him his number one attacking target for the Gunners.
In contrast, Arteta would supposedly love to have Newcastle United's Alexander Isak leading his line, but a move for Gyokeres's teammate is seen as a non-starter, especially if the Magpies qualify for the Champions League.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko remains on the radar too, but if Berta gets his way, Gyokeres will be lining up in red and white next season.
Ben Knapton
