Viktor Gyökeres has expressed his desire to return to the Premier League but emphasized he will only sign for a club that genuinely wants him, amid interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.

Arsenal have been in prolonged negotiations with Sporting CP over a summer move for the striker but are yet to agree on a deal with the Portuguese side.

Manchester United and Juventus have also shown interest, but the 27-year-old has made it clear that Arsenal remains his top choice.

However, Sporting are holding firm on their €80 million (£68.6m) valuation and are reportedly frustrated by Gyökeres’ agent’s claim that a private agreement had been made to sell the player for €60m (£51m) plus €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons.

Gyökeres is now trying to push through a transfer by refusing to return for pre-season training with Sporting this weekend, prompting the Portuguese champions to consider taking disciplinary action against him.

When asked about his future in an interview with France Football, Gyokeres said: ‘It’s football, you never know. I’m not thinking about it, we’ll see what happens.

‘If something is going to happen, it will happen. The most important thing for me is to play for a club that really wants me.’

However, Gyokeres made it clear that he is keen to return to the Premier League after failing to make an impact at Brighton.

‘It’s one of the biggest leagues in Europe,’ Gyokeres said.

‘I spent several years there without being able to play a single match. So, of course, it’s something I would like to do. It would be a great revenge.’

Gyökeres made his Champions League debut last season and stood out with an impressive six goals in eight appearances for Sporting, including a memorable hat-trick in their 4-1 home victory over Manchester City last November.

When asked if any players had caught his eye during Sporting’s Champions League campaign—which concluded with a 3-0 aggregate loss to Borussia Dortmund in the knockout phase play-offs—Gyökeres responded:‘Yes, of course, there were a lot of players who impressed me.

‘When we played against City and Arsenal you could see the quality that they have in the squad is amazing. You could see the midfielders like Bernardo Silva, [Mateo] Kovacic, Arsenal with [Bukayo] Saka.

‘Centre-backs that I played against – Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, very good players, good to play against those kind of players.’

Gyökeres also considers himself one of the best strikers in the world, placing himself in the same category as Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Robert Lewandowski.

‘I’m definitely one of them,’ Gyokeres said.

‘It’s difficult to rank me but yes, I’m at the same table as them now.

‘What I managed to do at Sporting, I’m convinced I can do anywhere. You haven’t seen the best of Gyokeres yet.’

Gyökeres, who netted 54 goals in 52 games last season, also rejected claims that his scoring tally is exaggerated due to playing in the Portuguese league.

‘That’s just people’s opinion. And I don’t care,’ Gyokeres said.

‘I know what I’ve achieved here, I’ve always done my best.

‘It’s a very good league, with a lot of technical players. Maybe less physical than England, but with a really good level.’