Manchester United hope to have a key advantage over Arsenal in the race for him mark Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP – the striker's close relationship with Ruben Amorim.
Gyokeres was playing Championship football for Coventry City at the age of 24, narrowly missing out on promotion to Premier League in May 2023. Two months later he joined Sporting CP on a five-year contract in a move worth just €20 million plus add-ons.
Some 18 months later, Gyokeres is hailed as one of Europe's deadliest scorers. In 80 appearances in all competitions for Sporting, the Swede has scored 75 goals and is currently scoring at a rate of over a goal per game in 2024/25.
Barcelona AND Chelsea have been tipped as possible landing spots in a €100m transfer – the value of the release clause inserted into Gyokere's contract – but the biggest buzz has been around moves to either Manchester United or Arsenal.
Amidst a series of ongoing speculations, The Independent note that United are optimistic they can hold off their Premier League rivals and seal a deal for Gyokeres, despite Arsenal's search for a new striker intensifying after Gabriel Jesus' unfortunate ACL injury.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted the club are looking to bring in reinforcements, although it is unlikely they will part with such a large sum of money to sign Gyokeres mid-season – Sporting are keen on any interested club to pay his release clause in full. Gunners are also determined to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in a £51m summer transfer which would take a significant chunk out of the club's budget.
united have Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee as their striking options, but the latter is expected to return to Italy after an unconvincing first year at Old Trafford. Juventus are a possible destination for Zirkzee, although a move could depend on the transfer of Dusan Vlahovic.
Zirkzee's departure will free up space for Gyokeres to be reunited with former boss Amorim, who guided Sporting to an unbeaten start to this season before leaving for United in November. The talented Portuguese coach found a way to get the best out of the now 26-year-old Gyokeres, and United also have a good relationship with the club following their negotiations for Amorim.
Gyokeres is said to be ready to play at a higher level, with the lure of playing for a club as prestigious as Manchester United – despite their 11-year Premier League title drought – also a key factor in a future decision .