Manchester United Begin Talks Over Signing Viktor Gyokeres

Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres might join "Manchester United", but "Arsenal" and "Manchester City" are also interested.

"Manchester United" has initiated talks with former Rubin Amorim's club, "Sporting", about a possible transfer of Viktor Gyokeres, according to sources. The Swedish player has demonstrated extraordinary scoring prowess for "Sporting" this year, netting an impressive 49 goals across all competitions, including a hat-trick against "Manchester City" in the Champions League.

Following Amorim's transfer from "Sporting" to "Manchester United", several players from his former team are being associated with a potential move to "Old Trafford". In most rumors, young winger Geovany Quenda and Gyokeres are mentioned, though center-back Goncalo Inacio has also caught attention.

Gyokeres has experience playing in England, but not in the Premier League, having represented Championship side "Coventry City" between January 2021 and July 2023, initially on loan from "Brighton". The "Seagulls" never included the 26-year-old Swede in their Premier League matches after signing him from Swedish team Brommapojkarna for €1 million in 2018. They sold him to "Coventry" for a small profit, and then "Coventry" sold him to "Sporting" for €24 million two years after signing him permanently.

Gyokeres’ contract with "Sporting" includes a €100 million (£82.9 million) release clause, and the Portuguese team is unlikely to sell him for less.

"Manchester United" is not the only club interested in the "Sporting" forward; reports suggest "Arsenal" and "Manchester City" are also keen. The "Gunners" lack an out-and-out striker, although Kai Havertz has performed admirably in that role this season, while "City" needs depth following the summer departure of Julian Alvarez.

According to German transfer expert Florian Plettenberg, "Manchester United" has commenced negotiations with "Sporting" regarding a summer transfer of Gyokeres, but their Manchester rivals are also actively pursuing this path. Competition from the Premier League champions could be a significant challenge for the "Red Devils", although they might get a boost due to Erling Haaland's presence, making it particularly difficult for Gyokeres to displace this leading forward.

It is reported that incoming "Citizens" sporting director Hugo Viana, who will leave "Sporting" at the end of the 2024/25 season, is very eager to sign Gyokeres, and the club has intensified their efforts in recent days. "Manchester United" hopes to outbid their main rivals for the player's signature and, as Plettenberg claims, are now engaged in concrete negotiations regarding the transfer.

The journalist wrote on X that "Manchester United" has made initial concrete talks about Viktor Gyokeres and a potential summer move. The "Red Devils" are now fully involved. "However, this will require sales first!" "Manchester City" has also intensified their efforts in recent days. Hugo Viana is currently pushing hard in the pursuit of Gyokeres.