Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly pushing for the Red Devils to sign Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres during the January transfer window.
The Sweden international has been in exceptional form for Sporting during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 27 goals and registering six assists in 27 appearances in all competitions.
Gyokeres is believed to be on the radar of a number of major European clubs, including Manchester City, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, but Amorim's close relationship with the striker, due to their time together in Lisbon, is believed to have placed Man United at the head of the queue for his signature.
Man United have well-documented financial problems due to the money that was spent over the summer, meaning that there will have to be exits for the club to be active during the January market.
However, the likes of Marcus Rashford, Joshua Zirkzee, Casemiro, Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen are being heavily linked with moves away from Old Trafford this month.
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Amorim 'wants Gyokeres arrival in January'
According to the Daily Star, Amorim has told Man United chiefs that the pursuit of Gyokeres cannot wait until the summer, with the Portuguese urging decision-makers to get the deal done this month.
The report claims that Amorim is expecting both Rashford and Zirkzee to depart before the end of the January transfer window, which would leave Rasmus Hojlund as his only option through the middle.
Sporting, for obvious reasons, will be desperate not to lose the 26-year-old in the middle of the season, but there is a €100m (£83m) release clause in his contract.
The Lisbon giants would allegedly demand the full amount in the winter market, meaning that Man United would have to move multiple players on this month for the deal to become possible.
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Is a deal for Gyokeres this month actually possible?
It is much more likely that Gyokeres will be on the move at the end of the season, as the January market is a difficult one, especially at this moment in time due to the strict financial rules.
Man United allegedly have 'no budget' at this stage, but that would change quickly if players moved on, especially if a permanent exit for Rashford could be agreed, as his departure would count as pure profit under the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules.
Rashford may never play for the Red Devils again, while Zirkzee is wanted by some major clubs in Italian football, with the Netherlands international failing to settle at Old Trafford this term.
Even with exits, a deal for Gyokeres would be incredibly complicated, but it would be some statement of intent from Man United if they managed to come up with the cash to bring the in-demand centre-forward to Manchester.
Matt Law
