Manchester United have made “informal contact” with Viktor Gyokeres over the possibility of a summer swoop after Ruben Amorim demanded Old Trafford executives sanction a reunion with the Sporting CP striker, according to a report.
Gyokeres, 27, has become the “hottest striker in Europe” since arriving in the Portuguese capital in 2023 under the tutelage of Amorim. Across two seasons, despite the 40-year-old coach swapping Lisbon for Manchester in November, the Swedish international has scored an impressive 97 goals and provided 28 assists in 102 games.
Gyokeres helped fire Sporting to a Liga Portugal triumph last year. But the Lions went one better this season, retaining their title while also securing the Taça de Portugal with a 3-1 win over local rivals Benfica.
United, by contrast, have endured their worst campaign in the Premier League era, finishing 15th while breaking (unwanted) records in terms of position, points, losses, and goals scored.
Only four clubs scored fewer goals than Amorim’s side – Everton and the three relegated clubs, Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton. The senior striking partnership of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee combined for just seven league goals between them, despite totalling £100 million in transfer fees across successive windows.
A new number nine is considered an urgent priority this summer with the club holding “face-to-face talks” with Liam Delap after identifying the England U-21 international as their “first-choice” target up front. But the 22-year-old rebuffed these advances in favour of a switch to Stamford Bridge.
Gyokeres has remained a “dream” candidate to to lead the line for the Red Devils, however.
And in the wake of Delap’s rejection, Amorim has “made it clear to the Old Trafford hierarchy that he is desperate to seal a reunion with the Sporting star” – an option the Portuguese coach always preferred over the England striker.
As a result, GIVEMESPORT reveals, United have “upped the ante” in their pursuit of the Swede and reached out to establish the conditions of a blockbuster deal.
“Manchester United have made informal contact in an attempt to discover whether a deal for Gyokeres will be possible, according to GMS sources, meaning that Amorim has edged closer to having his wish granted after always wanting members of the recruitment department to get themselves into a position to reach an agreement.
“Liam Delap’s decision to join Chelsea from Ipswich Town despite holding discussions over a move to Old Trafford has resulted in the Red Devils switching their attentions towards alternative options, with there being determination to secure an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee during the summer.
“But GMS sources have been informed that Amorim was not happy to see the Stamford Bridge-bound frontman pinpointed as Manchester United’s leading target because he has been eager to land Gyokeres, who enjoyed a prolific season with Sporting and is available for a fee of £59million.”
If United’s head coach can secure Gyokeres to lead the line at Old Trafford, in place of the abysmal Hojlund, it would constitute one of the biggest upgrades possible this summer.
The report also details Amorim’s determination to reunite with his star pupil as a “major advantage” for United in the red-hot race for Gyokeres, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus, and Atletico Madrid all registering an interest in the 27-year-old striker in recent months.
Featured image Carlos Rodrigues 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.
