Latest Manchester United transfer news with an update on Viktor Gyokeres
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Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with a move to Manchester United
Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with a move to Manchester United
(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United have been dealt a boost in the race for Viktor Gyokeres after Real Madrid rejected the chance to sign the Sporting CP forward.
Gyokeres, 27, has emerged as a summer target for Ruben Amorim's side following an excellent season at Sporting, where he plundered 54 goals in 52 matches in all competitions.
United are intent on signing a new No.9 to boost the club's attack this summer and Gyokeres is near the top of their shopping list, having worked with Amorim during their time together at Sporting.
However, it has now appeared that Gyokeres has been offered to another team. According to The Athletic, the former Coventry City man has been proposed to Real Madrid as they search for a new centre forward.
But Los Blancos have said 'no' and turned down the chance to sign Gyokeres. It's added that while Xabi Alonso's side 'like him', they ruled him out because of the potential cost and his demand to be a starter.
The Spanish giants are instead in the market for a Joselu-type centre forward: a player who can make an impact in the box, could be signed for a low fee and would accept a back-up role to Kylian Mbappe.
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21-year-old forward Gonzalo Garcia, who is from the club's reserve team in the Spanish third division, is expected to be used as their second-choice striker behind Mbappe at the Club World Cup.
As for Gyokeres, he is still expected to leave Sporting and seek a new adventure, almost a week on since the club's president revealed that there is no gentleman's agreement for him to leave for £59million.
"I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for 60m euros plus 10m euros because I never promised that," Frederico Varandas said in a press conference last Wednesday.
"To this day Sporting has not had an offer for Gyokeres - neither today nor last season."
Reports in Portugal suggested that Gyokeres was left feeling 'disrespected' about the situation and won't return to Sporting for pre-season. It was added that the Swede would 'rather go on strike' and is willing to 'interrupt his vacation' to speak out about his situation and Sporting's agreement that was in place.
Speaking last month, Sporting vice-president Francisco Salgado Zenha provided an update on Gyokeres' future and revealed the club are hoping to keep hold of him. He said: "He has three more years on his contract. At the moment there are no offers, he has three more years on his contract.
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"I think the answer has been given. [Sporting's transfer plans] won’t be any different from last year. We want to keep the best players and retain talent.
"We want to continue to be champions, have competitive teams and fight on all fronts. I have been in this role for seven years. In the years when Sporting were champions, we even made fewer sales than in other years... the fact that we are champions gives us a greater ability to retain players and talent.
"Coincidence or not, we have not had to sell any players in those times. Not that we have not received offers, but the market is not under our control, we are always dependent."