Despite failing to qualify for European football next season, Manchester United are operating like a Champions League club in the transfer market this summer.
Manchester United have already announced the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers — a step in the right direction as far as Ruben Amorim is concerned.
Soon after, United also made a bid to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, a sign of the club’s ambition.
And when it comes to improving Amorim’s attacking options next term, United are also prepared to sign a traditional number nine in addition to Cunha and Mbeumo.
And by most accounts, Amorim would love to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, sparking a reunion at Old Trafford.
Sporting CP have started talks to sign their Viktor Gyokeres replacement
Of course, United’s biggest stumbling block might be that Arsenal also want Gyokeres this summer.
Gyokeres is keen to join Arsenal, but given that the Gunners currently prefer RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, perhaps there could still be an opportunity for Amorim’s side.
And to that end, Portuguese outlet Record are now reporting that Sporting have begun talks with Gyokeres’ potential replacement.
Viktor Gyokeres shakes manager Ruben Amorim's hand at Sporting CP.
Photo by Joao Rico/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
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If Sporting sell Gyokeres this summer they want to sign 27-year-old UD Almeria striker Luis Suarez, who’s starting to show form worthy of his namesake.
Suarez scored 27 goals in 41 games in La Liga 2 last term, and Sporting have held initial talks with the player’s camp to explore a move.
However, the report explains that Sporting won’t progress with their interest on a club-to-club basis unless Gyokeres takes a significant step towards leaving.
But the Swede has expressed his ‘desire’ to leave the club, with a Premier League move now looking increasingly likely.
Amorim thought Gyokeres might leave Sporting this summer
Speaking back in November when he was on the cusp of leaving Sporting for Old Trafford, Amorim was asked about Gyokeres following him to Manchester.
At the time, Amorim was understandably wary of upsetting anyone at Sporting, even if he did ‘maybe’ think Gyokeres would leave this summer.
Asked about bringing Gyokeres with him to United, Amorim said: “No, no no. I cannot be funny with that.
“In this moment it was tough for me to leave, if I am starting joking about that with your cameras I have problems. This is my city, this is my country so I will respect [that].
“Viktor has to stay until the end of the season and then his life is going, maybe, somewhere else.”
However, the stars might end up perfectly aligning for United to land Gyokeres this summer, especially if Arsenal opt for Sesko.
TBR Football understands that Sporting might sanction a deal for Gyokeres at around the £60m mark in the coming weeks.