can leave red-faced this month after the Manchester United boss talked himself into a corner over a transfer for Viktor Gyokeres. Both Premier League clubs are reportedly interested in a deal for the Sporting forward, who is available for his £84million release clause.

It is widely reported that Arsenal are willing to move forward a summer pursuit of a striker to January amid their struggles in the final third. Kai Havertz has failed to produce consistency in front of goal, while Gabriel Jesus is set to miss the remainder of the season with an ACL injury.

That has accelerated Arsenal's need for a new No. 9. Alexander Isak has been strongly linked but Newcastle are demanding £150m for their star striker. Arsenal could therefore find more value in Gyokeres.

According to French publication L'Equipe, the Gunners are no longer reluctant to meet Gyokeres' release clause and are willing to complete a blockbuster January transfer. That could leave United boss Amorim regretting making a public promise not to sign any of his former Sporting players.

The Portuguese coach insisted he would not look to unsettle his previous club by tempting their players to Old Trafford in January. That is despite the Red Devils needing a new striker and Gyokeres being an attainable target.

"I won't [sign Sporting players] in January, that's what I said," Amorim insisted in November. "I don't know about the summer. The first point is to hold on until the summer.

"Sporting's players are very good players, I don't know, we'll see. I know the phenomenon of football. especially in England, and I know how things change."

The Sun subsequently reported that Gyokeres favoured a move to United ahead of the January window. One of Europe's most prolific forwards - and a player who shone under Amorim - was right under the Red Devils' noses and they could lose out on his transfer to a key Premier League rival.

If Arsenal do sign Gyokeres, he would be the missing piece in Mikel Arteta's puzzle. With Martin Zubimendi reportedly also set to arrive at the Emirates Stadium in the summer, the north Londoners look primed to challenge for the Premier League title in 2025-26.

United losing out on the former Coventry star would be Arsenal's gain. It could mean Amorim faces a tough summer attempting to sign other, potentially more expensive, targets.