Manchester United are “preparing” a bid for Viktor Gyokeres as the race amongst England’s elite for the Sporting CP star heats up, according to a report.
Premier League rival Arsenal have emerged as the frontrunners for Gyokeres with new sporting director Andrea Berta thought to be a huge fan of the Swedish international.
As relayed by The Peoples Person, the Gunners have offered a “monster contract” to the 26-year-old striker’s representatives with a plan to submit an official bid to Sporting after the Liga Portugal side’s cup final on May 25.
CaughtOffside describes Arsenal’s pursuit as at an “advanced stage” with Mikel Arteta’s side leading their domestic rivals – United and Liverpool – in the race.
But the report states there is still “strong interest” from Old Trafford and the Red Devils are refusing to give up on a move to reunite head coach Ruben Amorim with his star pupil, after the pair’s shared time with Sporting CP.
Gyokeres was transformed from a relatively unknown striker into one of Europe’s most lethal marksman under Amorim’s tutelage in Lisbon. The 40-year-old, who swapped Portugal for England in November to replace Erik ten Hag, remains a huge fan of the Swede, who is the prototypical forward he looks for in his system.
Neither of the existing strikers at Old Trafford – Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee – have come close to matching the level Amorim demands from his centre-forward, and a new number nine is considered an urgent priority by club executives.
United have been strongly linked with a move for Liam Delap as the 22-year-old striker’s contract with Ipswich Town contains a £30 million relegation clause.
But there is a growing sense that this deal is a compromise; a cheaper alternative to one of the more experienced (and expensive) forward options on the market this summer, such as Gyokeres or Victor Osimhen.
Amorim is likely to prefer a player he has worked with previously, who knows his system, has played in English football before, and offers experience and a proven track record of goal-scoring.
It makes sense, therefore, that United are preparing an offer for Gyokeres with Arsenal’s protracted pursuit offering a window of opportunity for the Reds to exploit.
But the move will almost certainly hinge on next week’s Europa League final and the reward of Champions League football it promises – an important consideration for Gyokeres and one Arsenal are already able to offer as a guarantee.
Featured image Gualter Fatia via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
