Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP
Viktor Gyokeres reportedly intends to leave Sporting CP this summer
have taken the first step in their attempts to strike a deal for Viktor Gyokeres this summer.
The club have already been active in the transfer market, signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves for a fee of £62.5million. United are also working on a deal to bring the Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo to Old Trafford.
Gyokeres is another target with the club officials making an approach to his representatives this week. After missing out on Liam Delap, who completed a move to Chelsea last week, United have once again turned their attention to the Sporting Clube de Portugal striker.
However, Gyokeres' remarkable season in Portugal has not gone unnoticed to other clubs with Arsenal also linked with an interest.
With that in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at the latest surrounding Gyokeres.
Man United 'contact'
Fabrizio Romano has claimed via GiveMeSport that club officials have made contact to 'understand how the situation was developing' for the Swedish striker. It is claimed that Champions League football was 'probably going to facilitate the deal.'
Not being able to offer European football means a potential deal has been complicated. But should his situation get advanced with another club, United will reportedly remain informed as they are in contact with his camp.
While Gyokeres does remain on the shortlist for the Reds, they will likely need to fund some transfers, with the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho among the contenders to leave this summer.
Sporting stance 'change'
According to Portuguese outlet Record, the Swede has been 'left angered' by the Lions, who are holding out for €80m (£67.5m) from interested clubs – like United, Arsenal and Chelsea this summer. Record state that Sporting initially wanted €60m (£50m) up front, with €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons, but now they've moved the goalposts.
It's believed that the Portuguese outfit are now asking for €80m (£67.5m), which hasn't gone down well with the striker.
Gyokeres' stance
According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Gyokeres has made it clear he intends to leave Estadio Jose Alvalade this summer. He reportedly believes that, after his contributions over the past couple of years, his departure would not harm Sporting.
Despite receiving 'better proposals' last summer, the Swede chose to remain in Lisbon. Now, at 27, he is said to feel that the time is right to take the next step in his career.
Drastic 'decision'
As a result, Gyokeres has taken 'Sporting' out of his Instagram profile. Previously, he had all references to Sporting and Sweden on his Instagram bio.
But now it merely states that he is a 'Sportsperson'.
Viktor Gyokeres on Instagram (Image: @viktorgyokeres)
Perfect 'welcome gift'
A special and historic welcome gift could be enough to tempt Gyokeres to M16. One potential bonus the club may offer is the historic number nine shirt.
It has been worn by a number of club icons including Sir Bobby Charlton, Andy Cole, Dimitar Berbatov and more. The No.9 shirt is currently being used by Rasmus Hojlund - who has endured a torrid time since he arrived from Atalanta in a deal worth up to £72million and has himself been linked with a move away from the club this summer, which would leave the number free for Gyokeres' potential arrival.
'Tough' competition
According to FootMercato, Gyokeres is a 'priority target' for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. The report says that the striker is 'actively followed' by the club.
Their interest comes after Victor Osimhen turned down a move to the Middle East. It was reported over the weekend that Al-Hilal has scheduled a medical after a £63m deal was agreed, but the player rejected the move despite a lucrative deal being on the table.
The Saudi Pro League outfit have now been left looking for an alternative option and Gyokeres has emerged as a target. They are reported to be eager to back new manager Simone Inzaghi in the summer transfer window following his move from Inter Milan.
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