Manchester United’s pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres is developing at a quick rate, plenty of drama is currently surrounding the deal.
After a calm opening few weeks of the summer transfer window, this week has seen the madness start for Manchester United.
While Matheus Cunha has been officially confirmed by United, talks for Bryan Mbeumo are dragging along, and the hunt for a striker has begun.
This has seen Victor Osimhen once again confirmed as an option for United, although it is safe to say Ineos’ current top choice is Viktor Gyokeres.
There has been plenty of drama between Sporting and Gyokeres this week, with disagreements over a pact to sell the striker for £59m.
However, United are still chasing the Swede, with Fabrizio Romano sharing an update.
Viktor Gyokeres poses with Portuguese league title.
Photo by Valter Gouveia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Fabrizio Romano shares update on Viktor Gyokeres to Manchester United
Despite the prior claimed agreement, this fee is now not on the table, with Sporting now looking for around £68m to sell Gyokeres. The pact that Gyokeres and his agent believe exists has been denied by Sporting’s president, who mentioned the director of football changes as a reason the club didn’t know of this.
Now, speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano has spoken out with an update on the situation.
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“I need to enter even more details for the Viktor Gyokeres story. Many details are coming to the press but it is important for me to clarify something according to my information.
“There was an agreement between the agents of the player and Sporting with the previous director, Hugo Viana, who is now at Manchester City, for Gyokeres to leave the club for €65m in this summer transfer window [not between Sporting president and Gyokeres’ agents].
“But when Viana left the club, Gyokeres decided to stay at Sporting to respect the club and to lift the league and the cup together with 73-goal contributions this season. However, at the moment, Sporting don’t want to give the green light for that price. They want something like €80m or €85m.
“I understand today that Gyokeres is not happy with the situation and is disappointed because he always gave his best to Sporting, in terms of goals, assists, leadership, and trophies.
“Manchester United are calling on a daily basis for Gyokeres.”
Gyokeres to United still sounds likely, assuming Ineos can get around all the nonsense currently going on, negotiate a fee, and complete the deal. Arsenal have been formalising their interest in Gyokeres, which could kick United into gear.
Viktor Gyokeres’ agent claims he has evidence of Sporting agreement
While it is a bad look to go back on an agreement due to one backroom figure leaving, it is the stance that Sporting have taken. However, it may backfire with Gyokeres’ agent now claiming to have evidence that Sporting promised to let him go for £59m.
This is according to the Swedish outlet SportBladet, which would be an interesting new spin, as proof of an promise would not mean Sporting have to oblige, given it was a gentlemen’s agreement, but the optics for the club which has never held back players from a move would be bad for future signings.
In Sweden, there is a belief that the lethal striker will end up with United, as tier one journalist Erik Niva has claimed while speaking on Aftonbladet.
”My belief is that Victor Gyökeres will play for Manchester United next season.”
Despite all the fuss being made, we would assume that this deal will accelerate over the weekend, with just £10m between the initial bargain fee quoted and Sporting’s demands. The only issue is that United probably needs to sell.