La Liga giants Barcelona have slipped behind in the ongoing race for the services of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyökeres.
That’s according to **[Diario Sport](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/barca-queda-lucha-gyoekeres-112328204)**, who have on Wednesday provided an insight into the situation.
It is of course common knowledge at this point that frontman Gyökeres is high on the transfer shortlist at Barcelona at present.
Amid nothing short of a spectacular opening to the campaign on the part of the Swede, Deco and co. have identified Gyökeres as the first-choice replacement for the aging Robert Lewandowski in Hansi Flick’s squad.
If the latest word stemming from the media is anything to go by, though, then Barcelona’s chances of actually striking a deal for the Swede appear to be diminishing.
As per Sport, the Blaugrana have fallen off the pace in the Gyökeres sweepstakes.
Whilst Barca would be keen to bring the 26-year-old in in the summer of 2026, it is looking increasingly likely that he will be on the move next summer.
Not only that, but Manchester United, now managed by Gyökeres’ former manager in Ruben Amorim, have made first contacts with their Sporting counterparts, over the terms of a deal.
Conor Laird – GSFN