Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP has linked with a move to Manchester United
Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP has linked with a move to Manchester United
Reports in Germany claim Manchester United have been holding talks over a summer move for Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, but apparently face competition from Manchester City.
Gyokeres has been the subject of much transfer speculation attached to United given Ruben Amorim’s appointment from Sporting. However, the new head coach has promised not to raid his former employers for reinforcements in January.
Amorim has also raised issue with the striker’s price tag. "Gyokeres costs €100million [£83m] and it's a lot," the 39-year-old said before he left Lisbon for Manchester.
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Former Coventry City and Swansea City striker Gyokeres hit the headlines in November when he netted a hat-trick in Sporting's 4-1 Champions League win over Man City. After scoring 43 goals in 50 matches last season, the Swede has scored 24 times in 21 games this term.
He had been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea over the summer before he announced he was staying in Portugal for this season. Interest in the attacker is expected to loom large next summer, with Amorim refusing to rule out moves for his former players after January.
Sky Germany claims that United have staged ‘initial concrete talks’ about bringing Gyokeres in over the summer. It claims, though, that in order to do so, sales would need to be sanctioned.
City have also apparently penned their interest, with incoming sporting director Hugo Viaga from Sporting CP being charged to convince Gyokeres to instead move to the blue half of Manchester.
Gyokeres played more than 120 Championships games during his time at Coventry and Swansea, after being let go by Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021 when new United sporting chief Dan Ashworth was technical director.
He has never played in the Premier League, despite making three matchday squads during the 2018/19 season at Brighton.