Manchester United hope to have a crucial advantage over Arsenal in the race for sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP – the prolific striker’s close relationship with Ruben Amorim.
Gyokeres played Championship football for Coventry City at the age of 24, narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier League in May 2023. Two months later he joined Sporting CP on a five-year deal in a move worth just €20 million plus add-ons.
Some 18 months later, Gyokeres is regarded as one of the most lethal finishers in Europe. In 80 appearances in all competitions for Sporting, the Swede has scored 75 goals and is currently on pace to score more than one goal per game in 2024/25.
Barcelona and Chelsea have been tipped as potential landing spots in a €100m transfer – the value of the release clause inserted into Gyokeres’ contract – but the biggest buzz has been a move to Manchester United or Arsenal.
Amid a series of ongoing speculations, The Independent note that United are optimistic they can hold off their Premier League rivals and complete a deal for Gyokeres, despite Arsenal’s pursuit of a new striker intensifying after Gabriel Jesus’ unfortunate ACL injury.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted the club are keen to bring in reinforcements, although it is unlikely they would part with such a hefty sum to sign Gyokeres mid-season – Sporting want any interested club to pay his release clause in full. Gunners they are also ready to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in a summer transfer worth 51 million pounds, which would take a significant part of the club’s budget.
United they have Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee as striking options, but the latter is expected to return to Italy after an unconvincing first year at Old Trafford. Juventus is a potential landing spot for Zirkzee, although a move could depend on the offloading of Dusan Vlahovic.
Zirkzee’s departure would free up space for Gyokeres to reunite with former boss Amorim, who led Sporting to an unbeaten start to the season before leaving for United in November. The talented Portuguese manager has found a way to get the best out of the now 26-year-old Gyokeres, and United also have a good relationship with the club following negotiations for Amor.
Gyokeres is said to be ready to play at a higher level, with the lure of playing for such a prestigious club as Manchester United – despite their 11-year Premier League title drought – also a key factor in his future decision.
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