Man United ‘open talks to sign Viktor Gyokeres’ in bid to reunite the Sporting Lisbon star with Ruben Amorim – but major hurdle ‘stands in their way’
- Gyokeres shone at Sporting under Amorim and was able to rejoin his former manager
- Amorim is in the process of assessing his selection following his appointment
- LISTEN NOW: Manchester City correspondent Jack Gaughan joins us It all starts! to explain whether Pep Guardiola has money to spend in January
Manchester United have started talks to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer, according to a report.
Gyokeres is one of the most in-form and sought-after stars in Europe, scoring 24 goals in just 21 games in all competitions so far this season.
These figures include five Champions League goals in as many games, with the Swede scoring a hat-trick against United’s rivals, Manchester City, in Europe last month.
All his good form at the Portuguese club came under new United boss Ruben Amorim, who turned the 26-year-old from a championship star in England to a coveted star in European football.
He scored 66 times in 68 games under Amorim and is now worth significantly more than the £19.5 million club record fee Sporting Lisbon paid for him just over a year ago.
And according to Sky’s Florian PlettenbergTalks have now begun over a possible move to Old Trafford, but United will have to sell before they can do business.
Manchester United have reportedly opened talks to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer
The forward played the best football of his career under new United boss Amorim (left)
However, United will reportedly have to sell players before they can land the striker
It seems certain that Gyokeres will leave Sporting in the summer after announcing himself on the world stage over the past year and a half, but the destination remains unclear.
A move to United would see him reunite with Amorim, with the 39-year-old signing a two-and-a-half year deal after replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils could be on the hunt for a new striker, with Marcus Rashford currently playing up front despite spending most of his recent years on the sidelines.
Joshua Zirkzee scored for the first time in the Premier League since the opening day of the season on Sunday when he grabbed a brace in the 4-0 win over Everton, but he was deployed deeper into the match.
Rasmus Hojlund, who United paid £72m for last year, came on as a substitute in both of Amorim’s Premier League matches but did not come off the bench on Sunday.
The Dane scored a goal in the Europa League against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday evening.
And while Amorim is a Sporting and Gyokeres connection at United, there are also former representatives of the Portuguese side at United’s rivals Manchester City.
Sporting director of football Huge Viana will leave the club at the end of the season to join City and Pep Guardiola, and is keen to take his current star player with him.
