Fresh reports have indicated that Viktor Gyökeres has told Manchester United that he is “ready to join” Rúben Amorim’s side this summer.
Manchester United are preparing to revamp their attacking options this summer after a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, which saw them finish 15th in the Premier League with a lack of goals proving a major issue.
Bruno Fernandes was the club’s top scorer with 19 goals, followed by Alejandro Garnacho and Amad with 11 apiece. Rasmus Højlund chipped in with 10, but no other player managed to hit double figures in any competition.
United have already completed the £62.5 million signing of Matheus Cunha and are progressing in talks to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo. A total fee has been agreed, with both clubs now negotiating the structure of add-ons. The Cameroon international is expected to undergo a medical next week.
The search for a central striker remains ongoing. While Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres was a key target earlier in the window, the Swedish striker has reportedly made it clear that his preferred destination is Arsenal.
Did Gyökeres ever actually reject United?
The saga surrounding Gyökeres has been an exhausting one to watch – a public battle of words has erupted after Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas accused the striker’s agent of falsely telling the press that they had agreed they would let him leave for £59 million.
However, Gyökeres’ agent has hit back, claiming he has a leaked voice note that confirms Sporting agreed the Swede would be allowed to leave for said fee this summer. Meanwhile, it has been reported that the striker would like to sign for Arsenal this summer due to their status in the Champions League.
At the time, this was received as the striker flat-out rejecting Amorim, but according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, this is not the case. “Gyökeres has not told Man United, ‘no, I’m not coming, goodbye’,” Romano explained on his YouTube channel.
“Gyökeres, his agent, speaking to Man United almost 10 days ago, told Manchester United that his priority is Arsenal. So the priority of Viktor Gyökeres is to go to Arsenal. He would love to go to Arsenal for several reasons, including obviously Champions League football, but Viktor Gyökeres didn’t say no to Manchester United.”
Continuing, he said: “Manchester United are following closely the situation, but now they are focusing on Bryan Mbeumo. They want Mbeumo as soon as possible, and then they will need a striker, but for Gyökeres at the moment there is no rejection, just a priority to Arsenal.”
Gyökeres could be turning his head back to United
While Gyökeres has made his preference to sign for Arsenal clear, he is by no means the front runner for the position, as Mikel Arteta’s men are more interested in signing RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško, with an agreement thought to be close.
Therefore, it has been reported by The Mirror that Gyökeres is now turning his head back to the Old Trafford outfit for a reunion with his former Sporting boss, Amorim.
Read More: Fabrizio Romano admits he is “not aware” of Manchester United’s talks for “very good” £33m star
According to the report, Gyökeres’ intermediaries have made contact with United in recent days, stating that he is “ready to join” United, despite their lack of participation in the Champions League.
Romano has previously claimed that, had United won the Europa League last season and secured Champions League qualification, Gyökeres would likely have already been a United player, but the striker became more hesitant when the club failed to secure Champions League football.
United continue to monitor Gyökeres’ complicated transfer situation and may look to pounce in the coming weeks if a clear route to signing the player that Amorim admires emerges.
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