RUBEN AMORIM will scrap with old pal Hugo Viana for Sporting Lisbon ace Viktor Gyokeres next year.
The striker, 26, became hot property under gaffer Amorim at Sporting and his release clause could see him move for £65million.
Manchester United are sure Amorim’s arrival as their boss will secure his signature.
But they face a battle with Manchester City and Viana, who will take over as their director of football after he leaves Sporting next summer.
Viana oversaw the Sweden star’s bargain signing from Coventry last year.
And it proved to be a masterstroke as Gyokeres has since flourished into Europe’s most in-demand striker, with 58 goals for club and country in 2024.
Amorim refused to fuel the speculation at his first United press conference on Friday.
But he did admit he hopes Gyokeres stays injury-free and keeps scoring.
The new Red Devils boss said: “Viktor Gyokeres is a Sporting player.
“He has a game tonight [Friday] and I hope he plays well, doesn’t get injured and continues to be successful at Sporting.”
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Portuguese Viana, 41, played a key role in Amorim becoming Sporting boss in 2020.
But will want to pip him to the post for Gyokeres at City.
The release clause rules out a bidding war but sets the scene for an intriguing tug-of-war instead.
Man Utd have struggled to score goals so far this season, netting just 12 in 11 Premier League games.
Meanwhile, neighbours Man City suffered a fifth successive defeat in all competitions on Saturday as Tottenham thrashed them 4-0 at the Etihad.
Erling Haaland has scored 12 goals in all competitions, but the team’s next highest scorers are Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic on three.
RUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.
But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.
Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:
VIKTOR GYOKERES
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Cost: £84million
Swede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.
Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.
GONCALO INACIO
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Cost: £50million
Ball-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.
Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.
MORTEN HJULMAND
Age: 25
Position: Midfield
Cost: £40million
Dane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.
He could be the man to replace Casemiro.
