Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres is one of the most clinical strikers in Europe.
He scored 39 goals to help Sporting CP clinch the Primeira Liga title for the second consecutive season.
Despite being the top scorer across Europe, he lost the Golden Shoe to Kylian Mbappe, whose 31 goals for Real Madrid carried more weight due to La Liga’s higher point coefficient than the Portuguese top flight.
Manchester United have been linked with the 26-year-old, and his agent has held talks with the club.
However, the Red Devils’ move for Gyokeres is ‘now almost off the table,’ according to journalist Florian Plettenberg.
Despite his previous working relationship with manager Ruben Amorim at Sporting, the striker does not favour a move to Old Trafford.
Gyokeres had previously told Amorim that he would only join United if they qualified for the Champions League.
They missed out on the opportunity to qualify for the competition by losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
The Swedish striker wants to move to the Premier League and could join Arsenal, one of his suitors.
United may now shift attention towards signing Ipswich Town’s centre-forward Liam Delap, though they face competition from Chelsea and Newcastle United for his signature.
The England youth international has a £30 million release clause and could decide on his next destination this week.
Man United’s executives have held face-to-face talks with Delap, hoping to get his signature ahead of other suitors.
United are expected to be active in this summer’s transfer window, with a striker and a number 10 among their primary targets.
They have just agreed on a five-year deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ star Matheus Cunha, their first choice for the number 10 position.
United have also reached an agreement with Wolves about paying Cunha’s £62.5 million release clause in instalments.
Stats from transfermarkt.com