Manchester United hit with Viktor Gyökeres transfer blow following Joshua Zirkzee admission

Manchester United have been hit with a fresh blow surrounding their pursuit of Viktor Gyökeres amid the latest news of Joshua Zirkzee’s Old Trafford future.

Manchester United entered the 2025 January transfer window in turmoil, reeling from four consecutive defeats in the Premier League and Carabao Cup before a 2-2 draw against Liverpool offered hope.

Under Rúben Amorim, the need for reinforcements is still urgent. However, the club’s finances are strained after Erik ten Hag’s high-spending tenure of just over two seasons, leaving United in a precarious position.

Key areas of the squad need addressing: a left-back, at least one centre-back, a striker, and multiple midfielders are required. But with limited funds available, the club face an uphill battle to secure these signings.

To navigate this challenge, United are prioritising player sales in January and the summer, aiming to generate the resources needed to overhaul the squad and stabilise their season.

United hit with fresh Gyökeres transfer blow

Reports last week explained that Amorim has informed United’s chiefs that he needs a new striker as soon as possible, and wants the club to try and secure Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres.

However, with the Swedish international having scored 62 goals across 2024, Amorim’s former side have stood firm and are believed to be demanding any club that wants him in January to pay his £80 million release clause.

A new report from  The Daily Star has now further handed United bad news, with Bayern Munich said to be willing to match this demand as they look for competition for veteran forward Harry Kane.

The Bundesliga outfit’s status across Germany as the standout club, plus their regular competition in the Champions League, means that they may be a much more attractive destination for Gyökeres.

Zirkzee wants to stay at United

In order for any Gyökeres deal to be remotely possible, United will have to offload players, with struggling striker Joshua Zirkzee the obvious choice.

However, it has recently been revealed that despite reports claiming that Zirkzee’s relationship with Amorim has hit a real low, the 23-year-old Netherlands international wants to stay and fight for his place at the club.

“Joshua Zirkzee has no interest in leaving Manchester United,” Sky Sports correspondent Kaveh Solhekol recently stated.

“He loves the club and is determined to prove himself in the Premier League. The player’s camp have received multiple approaches about a move.

“Juventus, Napoli, Inter and Milan – and several Premier League clubs – want the player. They have all been told he is not going anywhere.”

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