Man United reportedly initiates initial talks for Viktor Gyokeres as Ruben Amorim aims to secure this high-value £60m transfer ahead of Arsenal.
Sparking Interest: Manchester United's Approach for Viktor Gyökeres
The rumor mill is churning as Manchester United shows keen interest in Swedish striker, Viktor Gyökeres. Known for his prolific goal-scoring record with Sporting CP, Gyökeres caught the eye of United during his time under Ruben Amorim at the Portuguese giants.
Boasting an impressive tally of 97 goals in 102 appearances, Gyökeres has a release clause of £84 million in his Sporting contract. Yet, intriguing whispers suggest that he and Sporting have a gentlemen's agreement for a transfer price of around £58-60 million.
While Sky Sports News reports United's initial inquiry, Gyökeres' personal preference seems to lie with a move to Old Trafford. However, United faces challenges in offering European football, especially Champions League football, next season.
Amorim, now the new boss at United, is eager to re-unite with Gyökeres, as the current United No.9s Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled to find the back of the net consistently. Hojlund, recently linked with an exit, has expressed his intention to stay, declaring his commitment to Manchester United until 2030.
As the transfer saga unfolds, it's clear that Gyökeres is in high demand, with Arsenal also expressing keen interest. The negotiation process may prove challenging due to the disparity in valuation, with Sporting initially demanding £80 million against Gyökeres' and United's reported bargaining range of £58-60 million.
While no formal offers have been tabled as of yet, the ongoing discussions reveal a potential transfer that could shape United's attack for seasons to come. The ball is now in United's court, as they strive to reach an agreement that satisfies both parties.
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Footnotes:
[1] Sousa, J. (2023, March 15). Man Utd in talks with Sporting Lisbon over £58m deal for Gyokeres. The Sun. Retrieved from https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/18412644/man-utd-transfer-news-viktor-gyokeres-sporting-cp-jose- mourinho/
[2] Agence France-Presse (AFP). (2023, March 16). Man Utd in transfer dispute with Sporting Lisbon over £75m Gyokeres deal. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/16/man-utd-in-transfer-dispute-with-sporting-lisbon-over-75m-gyokeres-deal
[3] The estimations for the release clause are based on an assumed conversion of Euros to Pounds as of March 16, 2023.
Gyökeres, a Swedish striker, is reportedly eyeing a move to Manchester United, having impressed with his goal-scoring record in Portuguese and European leagues. Despite United's current challenge in offering Champions League football, Amorim, the new United boss, is keen to reunite with Gyökeres, given the struggles of the current club's strikers in scoring consistently.
