Manchester United are actively pursuing Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres as one of their primary transfer targets for this summer window.
Under the guidance of new manager Rúben Amorim, who previously worked with Gyökeres at Sporting, United’s management team, led by INEOS, is wasting no time in building a stronger, more competitive squad.
Even though the standard transfer window officially opened on June 16—following the Club World Cup window which ran from June 1 to June 10—Manchester United have already secured the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, adding Premier League experience to their attacking ranks.
Talks also remain ongoing for Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford as United continue their offensive overhaul.
Now, attention has shifted heavily toward Viktor Gyökeres. The 26-year-old Swedish striker has enjoyed two prolific seasons at Sporting, scoring an extraordinary 97 goals in just 102 appearances, including 54 goals in his most recent campaign.
His exceptional performances have naturally drawn the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs, but Manchester United have emerged as one of the frontrunners due to Gyökeres’ existing relationship with Amorim.
However, the pursuit of Gyökeres has become complicated. Initially, there were suggestions that Sporting would be open to selling him for around £59 million.
This led Gyökeres to believe that a gentleman’s agreement existed around that figure, fueling his frustration when Sporting’s president Frederico Varandas publicly refuted any such agreement.
Varandas insists that no formal bid has been submitted and that Sporting will not allow themselves to be pressured or rushed into selling the player below their desired valuation.
According to recent reports, Sporting are now demanding close to €80 million (approximately £68 million), a figure that may strain United’s budget.
Despite these complications, Manchester United remain determined. Reports out of Portugal indicate that the club is preparing to submit an official bid in the coming days.
The deal being discussed could involve a payment structure of £60 million upfront with an additional £8 million in performance-based add-ons, potentially reaching a total that would satisfy both parties.
The financial structure of the deal is crucial, as United would likely need to sell certain players to create room in their budget for both Gyökeres and other targets like Mbeumo.
Analysts have pointed out that even at this price, if Gyökeres maintains his current scoring form, he could prove to be a tremendous bargain.
There are both opportunities and obstacles in this transfer saga. On the positive side, Gyökeres would reunite with Amorim, a manager who understands how to get the best out of him.
Additionally, his goal-scoring track record speaks for itself, making him a valuable asset for United’s frontline.
However, the financial demands from Sporting, combined with ongoing negotiations, complicate the deal.
Furthermore, competition from other major European clubs, including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Liverpool, adds further pressure.
At present, the likelihood of Manchester United securing Gyökeres is estimated at around 50/50.
Negotiations remain delicate, and much will depend on how far United are willing to stretch their financial package and whether Sporting ultimately softens their stance.
For now, no formal agreement has been reached, but talks are expected to intensify in the coming days as United continue their aggressive approach to strengthening their squad under Amorim’s leadership.
