Manchester United could face stiff competition in their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, with Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly preparing to enter the race for the Swedish striker.
United have identified Gyokeres, a standout performer for Sporting Lisbon, as a key transfer target following Ruben Amorim’s appointment as manager. Amorim, who previously managed Gyokeres at Sporting, could look to bring the talented forward to Old Trafford, having enjoyed a successful stint with the player.
The 25-year-old striker made a statement performance in Amorim’s final home game, scoring a sensational hat-trick in Sporting’s 4-1 Champions League victory over Manchester City. This has only increased his appeal to several top European clubs.
Gyokeres could be available in the summer of 2024, with reports suggesting Sporting is preparing to reduce the sell-on clause to his former club, Coventry City, and could sell him for a reported £63 million. However, United may face significant competition from other Premier League giants.
According to The Sun, Gyokeres’ representatives are reportedly keen for him to join a club competing in the Champions League, which has put both Arsenal and Chelsea on high alert. Arsenal, in particular, has been tracking the striker for the past 12 months and are believed to be interested in adding him to their attacking options.
Despite interest from Premier League clubs, reports have mentioned Paris Saint-Germain as a possible destination, though Le Parisien reports that the French club is hesitant due to the hefty price tag associated with the striker.
While Amorim has not confirmed whether he will try to bring Gyokeres to Manchester, he did express his admiration for the player in a recent interview, stating: “Gyokeres is a Sporting player, which is a great club. He has done a lot for us, but he just has to stay and finish the season at Sporting.”
In the meantime, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has pointed out how many Premier League clubs may be regretting not moving sooner for Gyokeres. Speaking on TNT Sports, Ferdinand remarked: “The recruitment teams in all of the clubs in the Premier League must be scratching their heads, thinking ‘how did we let him get away?'”
Ferdinand noted Gyokeres’ unconventional path to success, which included stints at Brighton, Swansea, and Coventry, before he joined Sporting. “He’s had to build himself up, and now we’re seeing what he’s capable of. His confidence and physicality have grown, and you can see what a talent he is now.”
A potential bidding war looms, and it remains unclear which club will secure Gyokeres’ signature when the transfer window opens next summer.
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