Manchester United are set to be in the market for a new striker this summer, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee both struggling for goals this season, but look unlikely to land Viktor Gyokeres
09:44, 14 Feb 2025
Viktor Gyokeres
Man Utd look likely to miss out on Viktor Gyokeres(Image: Diogo Cardoso)
Manchester United are reportedly shifting their focus to Benjamin Sesko or Liam Delap for the summer, as a deal for Viktor Gyokeres seems increasingly unlikely.
The Red Devils are believed to be in the market for a new striker, with both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee - a summer signing from Bologna - failing to find the back of the net with regularity this season.
With Ruben Amorim now at the helm, a move for Gyokeres, who thrived under the Portuguese coach at Sporting Lisbon, seemed almost certain - but a reunion at Old Trafford now appears doubtful. The Swedish forward is expected to depart Sporting this summer, with the club ready to cash in on their star player.
However, The Athletic suggests that Gyokeres is keen to join a club offering Champions League football next year. While United could still qualify by clinching the Europa League title, there are other considerations.
Sporting are likely to demand around €70million (£58.2m) for Gyokeres, a sum United may hesitate to pay for a player turning 27 in June. This shift towards younger targets could bring Sesko and Delap into the picture, with the former being a long-term target.
Liam Delap celebrates after scoring for Ipswich Town against Aston Villa
Liam Delap has been impressive at Ipswich Town(Image: Julian Finney)
United even attempted to lure him from RB Leipzig during the summer transfer window, but the Slovenian international opted to renew his contract. Arsenal's known interest in Sesko, coupled with Leipzig's demands for the 21-year-old, could complicate any potential deal for the striker, whose playing style would suit Amorim's tactics.
A move for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap could well be on the card after impressing at Portman Road since their promotion from the Championship. At just 22 years old, Delap has nine top-flight goals and has been monitored by United throughout the campaign, he's also familiar to technical director Jason Wilcox from his time at Manchester City.
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Premier League legend Ian Wright recently urged United to move for Delap on his podcast 'Wrighty’s House', where he advised: "Go and get Delap. The thing is he's got that hunger and disrespect for everybody and it just feels like the kind of player they need. They need a hero like that and he's a hero waiting to happen. He's hungry."