Manchester United hope to have a key advantage over Arsenal in the race sign Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres: The prolific striker’s close relationship with Ruben Amorim.
Gyokeres was playing Championship football for Coventry City at the age of 24, narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier League in May 2023. Two months later he joined Sporting CP on a five-year contract in a move worth just 20 million euros plus add-ons.
Some 18 months later, Gyokeres is revered as one of Europe’s deadliest finishers. In 80 appearances in all competitions for Sporting, the Swede has scored 75 goals and is currently on pace to score more than a goal per game in 2024/25.
Barcelona i Chelsea have been tipped as possible landing spots in a €100m transfer (the value of the opt-out clause inserted into Gyokeres’ contract), but the most noise has revolved around moves to Manchester United or at Manchester United. arsenal.
Amidst a series of ongoing speculation, The Independent note United are optimistic they can hold off their Premier League rivals and tie up a deal for Gyokeres, despite Arsenal’s search for a new striker intensifying after Gabriel Jesus’ unfortunate ACL injury.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted the club are looking for reinforcements, although they are unlikely to part with such a large sum of money to sign Gyokeres mid-season. The Gunners It is also planned to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in a £51m summer transfer, which would represent a significant chunk of the club’s budget.
united they have Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee as surprise options, but the latter is expected to return to Italy after an unconvincing first year at Old Trafford. Juventus are a potential landing spot for Zirkzee, although a move may depend on Dusan Vlahovic being shipped out.
Zirkzee’s departure would free up space for Gyokeres to be reunited with former manager Amorim, who guided Sporting to an unbeaten start to the season before leaving for United in November. The talented Portuguese coach found a way to get the most out of Gyokeres, now 26, and United also have a good relationship with the club following their negotiations for Amorim.
Gyokeres is said to be ready to play at a higher level, with the lure of playing for a club as prestigious as Manchester United – despite their 11-year Premier League title drought – also a key factor in a decision future
