Sporting CP's is the latest player to be embroiled in a transfer tug-of-war, with the 27-year-old reportedly eager to exit this summer amidst interest from several Premier League clubs. The former Coventry City striker has allegedly threatened to strike to secure his move, with Arsenal and Manchester United both in the mix.

However, they face tough negotiations as Sporting hold out for at least £67million, . Rewinding six years, Bruno Fernandes, who might become Gyokeres' team-mate, was also coveted by United and Tottenham while at Sporting, but the club played hardball. Ultimately, United clinched Fernandes in January 2020 for £67.8m. Before Fernandes' departure, Cristiano Ronaldo made a telling comment, urging him to push for a move away from Jose Alvalade Stadium.

On TVi, Ronaldo stated: "Nobody knows why he doesn't leave." Ronaldo further revealed he had advised Fernandes to take decisive action to realise his potential, hinting that leaving Sporting was necessary for him to reach the pinnacle of his career.

He concluded: "Possibly this new generation will be the best at the talent level. But that's not enough. They have to want to. I have spoken to him. I'm a captain who wants to help and be helped."

Gyokeres may not share the pitch with Ronaldo internationally, but he can certainly relate to the advice he imparted to Fernandes. Ronaldo himself made the leap from Sporting to United back in 2003 for a £12.2m fee.

Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledged United's cordial dealings with Sporting, yet conceded that finalising the deal for Ronaldo was a protracted affair. United's pursuit of Fernandes in the summer of 2019 ended in failure, and they nearly missed out on him again in January 2020, only to clinch the transfer just before the window slammed shut.

As for Gyokeres, United might face a waiting game akin to their previous signings. Reports from Portuguese media suggest the striker , allowing his departure for a bid of £50m plus an additional £8.4m in add-ons.

Nevertheless, Sporting's president Frederico Varandas has recently refuted such claims, stating emphatically: "I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for 60m euros plus 10m euros because I never promised that. To this day Sporting has not had an offer for Gyokeres - neither today nor last season."

Sporting are reportedly holding out for a whopping £67m for their goal machine, who has netted an impressive 97 goals in just 102 outings since his £20m switch from Coventry City in 2023. recently reported that Gyokeres' representative Hasan Cetinkaya has been in talks with the hierarchy.

It's also believed that officials made a trip to Lisbon last month to negotiate terms for the prolific striker, with discussions said to be at a "very advanced" stage. Yet, the Gunners are simultaneously eyeing RB Leipzig's hotshot Benjamin Sesko.

The young Slovenian sensation has been on 's wishlist for ages, although the suggests that the Bundesliga outfit won't let him go for anything less than a hefty £75m.