Manchester United have been consistently linked with a move for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres during the summer transfer window
Viktor Gyokeres celebrates winning the Portuguese top flight with Sporting
Viktor Gyokeres celebrates winning the Portuguese top flight with Sporting
(Image: Valter Gouveia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Manchester United would reportedly be willing to pay the £69m fee that Sporting are demanding for Viktor Gyokeres this summer should the opportunity arise.
Gyokeres has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford since November when Ruben Amorim moved to the club. In recent weeks, it has seemed like that scenario was moving away from the Reds.
Arsenal have had Gyokeres on their radar for some time and it is understood that they have agreed personal terms with the player over his salary at the Emirates Stadium. However, they have yet to reach an agreement with the Lisbon club on a transfer fee for the striker.
It is believed that Sporting wish to receive £60.5m up front for Gyokeres with £8.5m included in add-ons. Such demands have led to frustration from the player's side and it is understood the Swede has not and will not be returning to Sporting for the start of pre-season.
With no breakthrough on the transfer fee talks, Arsenal's pursuit of the striker is currently paused, which has left the door open for others to swoop in, including United. According to reports in Leonino, the Reds would be willing to sign Gyokeres and pay the £69m demanded by Sporting 'tomorrow'.
However, the issue is thought to be Sporting president Frederico Varandas' reluctance to speak with Amorim. The implication is that Varandas is still unhappy about the manner in which Amorim departed his club.
It is thought that Amorim would play down suggestions that he was interested in signing Gyokeres this summer, were he to be asked about that possibility. The consensus is that he would suggest there was no chance of being able to do business with Sporting after his departure.
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