Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres has netted 42 goals in as many games this season and reports have suggested that Ruben Amorim wants to reunite with him at Manchester United.
Manchester United and Arsenal are considered to be the frontrunners in the race to sign Viktor Gyokeres in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Gunners are in desperate need of a striker to build on their current squad and United have the ace up their sleeve of Ruben Amorim being the Swedish forward’s former manager.
Unfortunately for United, a report from Portuguese outlet A Bola has stated the Sweden international would prefer a move to the Emirates Stadium due to his interest in playing Champions League football next season.
Obviously, this doesn’t fully rule out United, as they still have a slim chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season, should they win the Europa League. But it will not be the news fans will have wanted to hear.
This comes just one day after fellow Swede Anthony Elanga scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against United, further cementing Nottingham Forest’s position in the top four this season.
United not on Gyokeres’ mind
According to A Bola, the in-form striker has a shortlist of clubs he would like to join this summer, with United not being amongst them.
The outlet suggests that along with Arsenal; Liverpool, Man City, Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG are all on the striker’s shortlist too.
This is down mainly to the fact that the striker wants Champions League football, which currently, it looks as if United will struggle to provide.
Whoever does end up signing the Swede will be paying a pretty penny for him, with his contract in Lisbon not due to run out until 2028, and his release clause set at £85 million.
Should United set their sights elsewhere?
There are two main options said to be considered at the moment for the Red Devils other than Gyokeres, both of whom have proved themselves in Europe.
One such player is Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray. He was part of the landmark Napoli team which lifted the Scudetto in 2023 for the first time this millennium, achieving the title of Serie A top scorer along the way.
There is no doubt Osimhen would be welcomed in the club, with the Nigerian goal-scorer tallying 31 goals and assists in as many games this season. Those stats combined with his towering presence and physique make him a shoe in for this United side who lack a natural finisher up top.
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Another talent that United appear to be interested in is Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, who has impressed since stepping up to be the clubs main attacking option since Omar Marmoush joined rivals Man City in January.
At 22-years-old, Ekitike is certainly the younger of the three options, and with 27 goals and assists in 39 games for Frankfurt this season, the young Frenchman is showing real promise.
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