Manchester United’s transfer activity under Ruben Amorim continues to gain momentum, with a heavy emphasis on strengthening the attack ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
While Matheus Cunha has already arrived at Old Trafford, the Red Devils remain active in the market, still pushing for Bryan Mbeumo after weeks of negotiations.
With targets such as Hugo Ekitike and of recent Ollie Watkins also in the mix, United’s recruitment strategy is clearly focused on bringing in reliable firepower to address last season’s lack of goals.
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Amorim, who previously coached in Portugal, remains interested in familiar faces from the Primeira Liga, and one striker in particular continues to dominate the headlines.
Viktor Gyokeres is once again firmly on United’s radar after an astonishing campaign at Sporting Lisbon, where the Swedish international netted 54 goals in 52 appearances.
The 27-year-old has become one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe, with both United and Arsenal among the frontrunners for his signature this summer.
Despite his form, Sporting are yet to receive an official bid for the player, although internal discussions regarding his valuation have already taken place.
It was initially believed that Viktor Gyokeres would be available for around €60 million plus add-ons, based on an informal agreement between the player, his agent, and Sporting ahead of the transfer window.
However, Sporting president Frederico Varandas has since refuted that, making it clear that the club expects far more for their star man, especially after reports emerged that Gyokeres is refusing to play in an effort to force a move.
But new developments from Portugal have drastically changed the landscape.
Sporting have a complex contract arrangement for Viktor Gyokeres that could significantly inflate his transfer price – unless United (or any bidder) opts to tread carefully.
As of today, any official offer of €60 million (net) – including solidarity payments – that Sporting formally reject will, by contract, trigger a clause obligating Sporting to pay 10% of that offer to Gyokeres’s agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, as per A Bola.
That means if Sporting refuse a €60m bid, they will effectively owe €6m to the agent.
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Sporting’s president Frederico Varandas has already hinted at this being a tactic in motion.
He’s warned that activating that clause will force the club to enforce the full €100 million release clause, meaning the club will refuse offers under that level.
In his words: “If the agent asks for the 10%, Sporting will force the exit to the limit”, and that “Gyokeres will not leave for €60m+€10m”.
Rather than risk triggering the clause, Sporting say they are prepared to accept a fixed €80 million fee – provided the agent does not activate the commission clause.
Arsenal have reportedly offered €55m plus €10m in add-ons, but that fell short of Sporting’s expectations.
United, meanwhile, could yet step in and bid within the €80m framework, if they decide the financial risk is worthwhile.
It was reported that Liverpool have also joined the race to sign Gyokeres as they plan to bolster their attacking options.
Gyokeres, signed from Coventry in 2023 for around €20m, has a contract until 2028 with a towering €100m release clause, the highest at Sporting.
His recent form—scoring at an extraordinary rate—has made him arguably Europe’s hottest striker.
For United, this means the window for a pragmatic deal is narrowing fast.
A move within €60–80m might avoid messy complications, but would require delicate negotiations to sidestep the agent’s fee.
A straight €100m bid guarantees a simple transfer—but at a premium.
As the summer transfer window progresses, United must weigh cost against convenience.
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