Manchester United will have to fight hard if they want to win the transfer battle for Viktor Gyokeres this summer.
Ever since the arrival of Ruben Amorim as Manchester United’s head coach in November, the Red Devils have been strongly linked to Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
United are in dire need of extra attacking reinforcements this summer after Rasmus Hojlund failed to cope with the responsibility of being a sole striker.
Gyokeres is a huge admirer of Amorim and therefore could consider a move to Old Trafford this summer, but United’s lack of European football could make a deal difficult.
Reports claim Gyokeres is available for just £55m this summer after he made a gentleman’s agreement with Sporting to leave. However, United are currently not leading the race for his signature.
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Man United target Viktor Gyokeres offered £10m signing fee
Ahead of the summer window opening in June, it has become clear that Arsenal want to beat United to Gyokeres.
The Gunners are also searching for a star striker and, unlike United, they can offer the Swedish forward Champions League football.
According to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha, Arsenal have already sent club directors to Lisbon to prepare the transfer.
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They add that Arsenal are willing to pay £59m (70m Euros) for Gyokeres, while offering him a salary of just under £6m per year.
The Gunners are also willing to pay Gyokeres a £10m signing-on fee (12m Euros) as part of their five-year contract proposal.
Viktor Gyokeres might be out of Man United’s transfer budget
Since losing the Europa League final, Amorim has spoken honestly about United’s transfer plan and admitted that there will be less money available.
United have a transfer budget of £100m, but with Matheus Cunha set to join for £62.5m, a large portion has already been drained.
Selling Hojlund could open the door for Gyokeres to move to Manchester, but United simply cannot match the pace that Arsenal are currently moving at.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim sends brutal message to Viktor Gyokeres over Man Utd transfer links, ‘He won’t come…’
Ultimately, Ineos may have to look at alternative targets with both Liam Delap and Victor Osimhen also available this summer.
Gyokeres is yet to make his summer decision on where to move, but it is unfortunately looking more and more likely that United could miss out.