Barcelona are reportedly determined not to miss out on Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres and have therefore come up with a plan which could see them beat Manchester United to the striker's signature.
Gyokeres has been in red-hot form for Sporting during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 24 goals and registering four assists in 20 appearances in all competitions, including five goals in five Champions League matches.
The 26-year-old has also netted nine times for Sweden this season, and he is widely expected to be on the move next summer, with Man United regarded as the favourites for his signature.
Arsenal and Manchester City are also said to be keen, but Ruben Amorim's arrival at Man United from Sporting as their new head coach appears to have placed the 20-time English champions firmly in the driving seat.
The forward has a €100m (£83m) release clause in his contract with Sporting, but have been claims that he will be allowed to leave his Lisbon club for around €76m (£63m) next summer due to a 'gentleman's agreement'.
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Barcelona 'determined to win the race' for Gyokeres
According to SPORT, Barcelona view Gyokeres as the ideal long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who has also been in excellent form this season, scoring 22 goals and registering two assists in 19 appearances in all competitions.
Lewandowski is set to stay at Camp Nou until June 2026, with Barcelona having no plans to replace him next season, which places them in a difficult spot when it comes to the race for Gyokeres.
The report claims that Hansi Flick's side want to secure a deal for Gyokeres next summer, but they would then loan the Swede back to Sporting for the 2025-26 campaign before his arrival in the summer of 2026.
Barcelona allegedly believe that such a deal would suit all parties, although it remains to be seen whether Gyokeres is willing to spend another season at Sporting, while Man United are also pushing hard to get the deal done.
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Lewandowski has been in stunning form for Barcelona this season
Lewandowski will be 37 next August, so Barcelona are right to be planning for life after him, but it is difficult to imagine him coming out of the side next season if he continues to find the back of the net at an incredible rate.
The Poland international has seven goals in five Champions League matches this season, while he has struck 15 times in 14 La Liga appearances, demonstrating that he remains one of the best forwards in world football.
Barcelona will need a lot to fall into place if they are to strike a deal for Gyokeres, but Lewandowski is currently doing the business, and a certain Cristiano Ronaldo has shown that it is entirely possible to continue putting up huge numbers in the latter stages of your career.
Matt Law
