Manchester United have held concrete talks to sign one of Sporting CP’s best players next summer.
The Red Devils have had a good start under new manager Ruben Amorim, recording two wins and one draw in his first three games.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have impressed up front with two goals apiece, while Marcus Rashford has fared better with three goals.
Despite this, Amorim has his set sights on a reunion with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg claims United have held ‘initial concrete talks’ regarding Gyokeres ahead of a potential summer move.
The Red Devils are ‘now fully involved’ in the transfer race but would require player sales to afford the Sweden international at the end of the season.
United are set to face stiff competition from Manchester City, with future director of football Hugo Viana pushing hard in the pursuit of the marksman.
Viana will leave Sporting for City next summer, and he is aiming to bring Gyokeres with him.
Gyokeres joined Sporting from Coventry in 2023. He had an exceptional debut campaign with 43 goals and 15 assists from 50 outings.
Despite his exploits, there were no clubs prepared to trigger his £83 million release clause.
The Swede has continued to shine this campaign with 24 goals and four assists in 21 games. He looks destined to consider a bigger challenge next summer.
The striker has a gentleman’s agreement to leave Sporting for £63m, and it appears a no-brainer decision for United to sign him ahead of other clubs.
Amorim has a strong bond with the 26-year-old, and he could persuade him to move to Old Trafford.
However, United can’t take things lightly. Viana played a big role in bringing him to Lisbon in the first place. City could be a tempting destination for Gyokeres.
The Red Devils need to be proactive to ensure that City don’t beat them to his signature.
If United were to sign Gyokeres, it could coincide with Zirkzee’s departure.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com.
Article written by Sri Aswin .
