For Manchester United, a new star number nine is likely to be this summer’s biggest addition, but Ruben Amorim’s ideal choice looks out of reach.
Since Ineos appointed the 40-year-old as head coach back in November, it has been widely speculated that some of Sporting Lisbon’s players would be on his transfer shortlist.
Geovany Quenda looked to be high on Manchester United’s shortlist, however, a smart move from Chelsea saw him taken off the table.
Francisco Trincao is a target for United with Sporting setting a £30m asking price for the Portuguese winger who could slot right into the Ruben Amorim system.
Maxi Araujo was another name United wanted prior to securing the arrival of Patrick Dorgu. While Goncalo Inacio has long been wanted at Old Trafford.
However, the one addition which would have had the biggest impact on United would have been signing Viktor Gyokeres to revolutionise the number nine position.
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Viktor Gyokeres has major reservations about Manchester United move
A move to sign Gyokeres this summer was on the table for United. Due to the interest in the Swede, however, it wasn’t going to be an easy deal to do.
United are expected to need European football to have any chance at securing the 40-goal striker this summer. Now, speaking on The Transfers Podcast, Duncan Castles has shed light on the situation.
More United News
“Ruben Amorim would love to have Gyokeres at United; all the top Premier League clubs have been looking at him”, it is explained.
“He will leave this summer. Sporting have a gentlemen’s agreement that he can leave for around €80m (£66m), but I am hearing that his agents are going to try and get that fee down to €60m (£49m) or €70m (£58m).
“When people around him were asked about Amorim’s desire to sign him, the guidance was the only reason he would join Manchester United at present would be because of Amorim.
“He wants to go to a club where he can prove himself, where he can win trophies, and his assessment of where Manchester United are at the moment is that it isn’t the option to take in a summer where he will be turning 27.
“He will pick the team which he thinks is the best place for him to demonstrate his abilities as a player.”
It is difficult to argue with Gyokeres’ stance, as right now, things are not perfect at Old Trafford. United are hoping to win the Premier League by 2028, by which time Gyokeres could be 30, which won’t appeal to him.
Ruben Amorim could convince Viktor Gyokeres on Old Trafford move
As bad as things look right now for United, with the club sitting 13th in the Premier League, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Amorim has the team beginning to play well and implement his style of play, which Gyokeres will know to be effective.
However, the one chance Amorim likely has to convince Gyokeres is through winning the Europa League and claiming a Champions League spot that way.
This would accelerate the project for United, providing more funds and making the summer rebuild that little bit easier than it would have been.
In the event Gyokeres goes elsewhere, United have Victor Osimhen to fall back on as he is keen regardless of European football, backing himself to be the difference and put United back on top.