Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United due to his long-standing friendship with Ruben Amorim
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Sport
14:09, 19 May 2025
Viktor Gyokeres all smiles after winning the league title with Sporting
Viktor Gyokeres all smiles after winning the league title with Sporting
(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United have been handed a transfer bombshell after Portuguese media reports suggested on Monday that they have lost the race for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres.
The Swedish striker has been on the radar of United since November when Ineos poached his manager in Lisbon, Ruben Amorim. A clear problem for United this season has been their lack of goals with both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee missing as reliable threats.
Gyokeres has bagged a whopping 96 goals for Sporting this season and the fact he is familiar with the 3-4-2-1 system made it appear as though a transfer would be a match made in heaven for United. However, Arsenal have also been heavily linked with his services having admired him for longer than the Reds.
Like United, the Gunners have also struggled without a regular centre-forward presence at the top of the pitch. While their season has been more impressive than the Reds', Mikel Arteta's side are likely wanting to address that position as a priority.
According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, that is exactly what they have done. Their front page leads with an image of Gyokeres celebrating after winning the Liga Portugal this weekend.
One of the headlines next to his name reads: "Swede on his way to Arsenal." It is claimed that a £58.9m agreement has been reached between Sporting and the Gunners and it is only a matter of time before the transfer is made official.
If true, United will be looking to reassess their options heading into the summer transfer window. MEN Sport understands that Ipswich Town's Liam Delap is a top target for United this summer thanks in part to his much lower release clause of £30m.
It is also believed that Delap's proven ability in the Premier League - as shown with 12 goals for relegated Ipswich - and his age are also seen as positives. Versatile forward Matheus Cunha is also seen as a top target for United and has a £62.5m release clause in his Wolverhampton Wanderers contract.
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