Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres is “very keen” on a move to Manchester United even without the prospect of European football at Old Trafford next season, according to a journalist.
Gyokeres, 27, is considered the “dream” target for the Red Devils after a failed pursuit of Ipswich Town frontman Liam Delap, who rebuffed United’s interest in favour of a switch to Chelsea.
But Ruben Amorim, who brought Gyokeres to Lisbon in 2023, is believed to have always preferred a reunion with his former pupil over a pursuit of the English forward.
And in the wake of Delap’s rejection, United look ready to act on their manager’s demands as the club has now made “informal contact” with Gyokeres over a summer swoop.
There is fierce competition for the Swedish international across Europe, however, with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as Juventus and Atletico Madrid, all expressing interest in recent months.
One of the key concerns United held in a pursuit of Gyokeres was the lack of Champions League football next season – something on offer at each one of their transfer rivals – after the dismal Europa League final defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.
But Ben Jacobs (as relayed by Manchester World) now reveals Gyokeres remains open to a move to Old Trafford as is “keen” to play under Amorim again – the manager who helped establish him as one of the world’s most lethal strikers.
“My understanding is that Viktor Gyokeres would be very keen on a move to Man United if they could pull that off, financially speaking,” Jacobs states.
“If [they] can find a way to pay the €70 million for Gyokeres, he would be keen to reunite with Ruben Amorim even without Champions League football.”
United will need to sell in order to finance the costly package to secure Gyokeres’ signature with sales playing a “big part” in the move, according to Jacobs.
“Outgoings will play a big part in such funds, though. I don’t think Gyokeres would be on £300,000 a week or more. So if Rashford and Sancho go they’ve got wage bill space to invest in these players, so that’s why if they bite the bullet on the transfer and agent fees, if they structure it in a way where they can start in the next financial year and get it on flexible instalments, it can be a way they can do that deal.”
A new number nine is an absolute essential for United this summer. And with the options available beginning to dwindle as other clubs make advances, the chance to reunite Amorim with Gyokeres – a player with more goals than United’s entire attacking unit this season – is too good an opportunity pass up.
The Swede is keen; Amorim is keen; the fanbase is keen. INEOS must act now before another keen team strikes first.
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.
