Man United, Ruben Amorim, Arsenal, Viktor Gyokeres
(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Mick Brown
Sat 21 June 2025 12:00, UK
Man United are working on deals to sign alternative strikers after missing out on Viktor Gyokeres, according to their former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 27-year-old has made it clear he does not wish to join.
Despite that, Ruben Amorim remains determined to land a new number nine despite having missed out on his top target, and United are willing to spend big.
Football Insider revealed on 13 June that Gyokeres is the dream target for Man United and have been working hard to reach an agreement over the move.
However, there is now an acceptance that the striker would prefer to join Arsenal despite his relationship with Amorim and they will switch their focus elsewhere.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 12 June that United are keeping tabs on Jean-Philippe Mateta‘s situation after Palace opened new contract talks.
Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting CP
Man United look set to miss out on Viktor Gyokeres. (Credit: Imago)
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Man United to miss out on Gyokeres deal after Arsenal latest
Football Insider revealed on 17 May that Arsenal are making progress towards signing Gyokeres and have been given the green light by Sporting CP.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also worked for the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham, insisted that United will now be forced to consider other targets on their long list of options.
“There’s a lot going on behind the scenes,” he told Football Insider.
“It’s a bit of a jigsaw puzzle in the transfer market at the moment, it needs one thing to fall into place and then other deals will start to follow.
“At United, now they’ve been made aware Gyokeres doesn’t want to join, they’re looking elsewhere.
“He wants to join Arsenal apparently, whether that happens or not I don’t know.
“It’s all played out a bit too publicly with him which never makes it easy to get a deal done.
“Other deals they’ve been working on, Mebumo for example, have been very public too.
“But they are working hard behind the scenes because Ruben Amorim wants to sign a striker, they have to know what options they’ve got.
“Then, they’ll be able to make a move and hopefully get something over the line.
“They’ve put together a long list of targets but it’s about narrowing that down and figuring out which of those targets you want to bring in.
“The money is there to be spent, they just need to find a deal which works for them.”
Man United manager Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim is being forced to consider new targets. (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Emi Martinez update emerges at Old Trafford amid new race
Another key target at Old Trafford is Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez, who is being lined up as a potential replacement for Andre Onana.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 20 June that Man United are pushing to sign Martinez and are “ringing him every day” to get a deal over the line.
However, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 19 June that Martinez has his heart set on Atletico Madrid, who recently joined the race for his signature.
The Spanish giants are considering their options in goal as they fear losing top shot-stopper Jan Oblak amid interest from Saudi Pro League clubs.
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