Manchester United will have the opportunity to secure Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres’ services at a significantly lower price than initially anticipated this summer, according to reports. The prolific Swede has displayed consistent devastating form since Ruben Amorim lured him to Lisbon from Coventry City in 2023.
Gyokeres has scored an impressive 74 goals in just 79 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese outfit.
This season, the 26-year-old has surpassed a goal-per-game ratio by netting 31 times in 29 games, including 21 in 17 league outings and five in six Champions League clashes.
United’s ongoing issues with misfiring strikers and goalscorers in general, mixed with Amorim’s close ties with Gyokeres, made transfer links inevitable when the former switched to Old Trafford.
However, a January transfer appears unlikely due to Financial Fair Play constraints affecting many clubs’ capability to pursue big-money permanent deals this month, including United.
The Red Devils are under severe pressure to comply with the Premier League‘s Profit and Sustainability Rules after splurging over £600million in less than three years under Erik ten Hag.
But the club are expected to back Amorim at the start of his rebuild this summer, and it would be surprising if Gyokeres weren’t on the agenda.
Sporting are likely to resist selling Gyokeres to any club mid-season, as it could jeopardise their already-fading title ambitions and Champions League prospects.
Therefore, a summer move seems more feasible for all involved, and United will be salivating at the possibility of sealing a cut-price deal.
According to Record Portugal, Gyokeres and Sporting have a gentleman’s agreement that could see the striker depart for a fee between £58.6m and £62.8m.
The relentless goalscorer has an £83m release clause in his current contract but he will be able to seal a move for a lower fee if he stays until the end of the season.
Amorim has previously remained coy about whether he wants to bring Gyokeres or any of his talented Sporting stars to Manchester.
Ahead of his emotional exit, the Portuguese tactician insisted that he would not be signing any players from his former club in the January transfer window.
“I will not sign any Sporting player at Man United in January… then, what happens in the summer, I don’t know. Sporting players are good players. We will see what happens,” Amorim explained.
On crucial forward Pedro Goncalves, the 39-year-old added: “He can play for any team in the world and with any player because he is a great player. I could take him anywhere.
“He is very funny, which improves the personal relationship. But he is also very intelligent, but he also has to focus on Sporting because we have to be champions this year. But he could play in any team in the world.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk