Sporting CP have placed an asking price on star striker Viktor Gyokeres and it is good news for Manchester United.
Gyokeres is one of Europe’s hottest strikers at the moment and his success has much to do with United head coach Ruben Amorim, who was his manager at the Portuguese club until he came to Old Trafford.
United have been credited with an interest in the Swede since even before Amorim joined, as they seek to bolster their attacking options. But a €100 million release clause represents a steep obstacle to overcome for a club struggling to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules.
However, A Bola have claimed this morning that the Lisbon club are willing to accept €70 million for the 26 year old, a significant discount on the buyout figure.
The outlet states that any club wishing to buy Gyokeres in the winter window will have to pay the full release clause, but “in the summer market the Sporting administration will agree to negotiate and the value to start talks is set at 70 million euros, plus objectives to be defined that will inflate the operation in the medium/long term.
“And if there is an auction, with more than one club interested, then the numbers could be closer to the termination clause.”
Whether or not there is an auction will depend on a number of factors, including how the striker completes the season without the guidance of Amorim.
Gyokeres scored 24 goals in 19 games under the now United boss but has scored zero in two since his mentor left the club.
If he – and his club – continue to struggle, his stock will inevitably drop.
Another issue is how many of the clubs credited with an interest – which include Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona – would be prepared to pay that amount – and indeed, whether they might in the meantime pursue other options.
Nonetheless, A Bola insists that United are “one of the most interested” in the former Coventry man, whose record in the Championship was decent, averaging around a goal every two games.
But the idea of reuniting with the man who took him to the next level will surely appeal to Gyokeres and could give United a big advantage should they enter negotiations in June.
Featured image Gualter Fatia via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
