Manchester United could have potentially moved back ahead of Arsenal in their mooted pursuit of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres as the Gunners reportedly get ready to "freeze" their interest.

It was at that point that the entire saga took a turn. Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas accused Gyökeres’s agent of “blackmail” and rejected the existence of an agreement which would see the striker sold for well below his €100 million (£85.1 million, $115.4 million) release clause.

Manchester United have suffered another setback in their summer quest to upgrade Ruben Amorim 's attack after Viktor Gyokeres reportedly rejected a move to Old Trafford. The Sporting striker is said to have informed United that he will not be joining ahead of next season, with Arsenal his preferred destination in the Premier League.