Manchester United have received a major boost in their race for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, as it has been revealed the Portuguese club are already preparing for the departure of the Swedish striker.
Manchester United are attempting to sign a striker this summer, even if they can land a deal for Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford in the coming days. United have been in negotiations for Mbeumo for a number of weeks, with talks said to have continued even today.
Matheus Cunha is already in the door, and the attacking makeup of the team will look automatically better if they can land a deal for Mbeumo. Despite that, the Reds are eager to add more firepower to the team, with a striker a clear target for Ruben Amorim before the end of the window.
Rasmus Hojlund could leave the club, with the side from Old Trafford holding out for a permanent transfer. Inter Milan are showing interest but are currently insisting on a loan with obligation, which United are showing no desire to do.
Amorim’s side could have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of a Hojlund replacement, with a deal for Viktor Gyokeres seemingly looking more likely, as Sporting CP are reportedly preparing for his exit.
Sporting CP prepare for Gyokeres exit
Sporting’s president Frederico Verandas has been strong in his words in public regarding Viktor Gyokeres, much to the annoyance of the player, but behind the scenes, the club are said to be already preparing for his exit.
Gyokeres feels he had agreed to a pact with Sporting to let him go for around £60m last summer, but Verandas has declared he will not leave the club for that price this summer, citing Matheus Cunha and Martin Zubimendi’s fees in recent weeks as reasons why.
“In recent weeks, we have been paying attention. I saw a player, Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, go for €65 million, and I saw Matheus Cunha move to Manchester United for around €75 million. We are talking about players who are 26 years old.”
“I believe Viktor could leave, unless he has the worst agent in the world, which I don’t believe, as his agent is one of the best in the world.”
According to Record in Portugal, Sporting have begun talks to sign UD Almeria striker Luis Suarez. The player had a smashing campaign for Almeria last season in La Liga 2 and could be brought in as a replacement for Gyokeres this summer.
United have yet to agree on any sort of fee or personal terms with Gyokeres, who has made his desire to join Arsenal very clear. Benjamin Sesko is another target for the Gunners, and United may have a chance to sign the Swede if Arsenal decide to sign Sesko.
Gyokeres worked with Amorim in the past, and there is a feeling United would love to sign the player if a deal became possible.
A striker is vital for United
A striker is vital for United this summer, particularly if Hojlund leaves. United need as many goals as possible, with players in nearly every area of the pitch capable of scoring. As much as Cunha and Mbeumo will add goals, a striker makes the team a frightening prospect.
Gyokeres will score goals in the Premier League next season; that much is for sure. United can sign the player if they make the right sales, but Sporting have to be ready to negotiate a fair price.
Marcus Rashford’s sale, as well as Antony’s will generate the most funds, and if they sell both, a transfer of around £63m becomes possible for Gyokeres.
The player is someone that would improve United, but there are other targets on the market, such as Hugo Ekitike and Victor Osimhen.
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