Manchester United are reportedly hopeful of winning the race to sign Sporting Lisbon centre-forward Viktor Gyokeres during this summer's transfer window.
The 26-year-old has been in excellent form for Sporting during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 32 goals and registering six assists in 30 appearances in all competitions, including 21 goals in 17 league outings.
Gyokeres has also managed five goals in six appearances in the league phase of the Champions League, and he is one of the most in-demand forwards in European football, with Arsenal also believed to be interested.
It has recently been claimed that Arsenal are planning a January move for Gyokeres, with the Gunners determined to address their attacking problems before the end of the winter window.
However, according to The Independent, Man United are hoping to hold off competition from a number of other clubs, including Arsenal, in order to win the race for his signature.
The report claims that Sporting are planning to keep hold of Gyokeres for the remainder of the season, but he is widely expected to leave the Lisbon giants when this summer's transfer window opens for business.
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Man United 'hoping to win the race for Gyokeres'
Gyokeres' close relationship with Man United head coach Ruben Amorim is believed to make the Red Devils the favourites, and he is said to be the club's leading centre-forward target.
The forward has an £84.5m release clause in his contract, but it is believed to be possible that he could leave for around £60m during the summer market, making him much more affordable for the Red Devils.
A January move to Old Trafford would be impossible unless Man United make a major sale; Alejandro Garnacho is being heavily linked with a move to Napoli, but it is highly unlikely that the Italian outfit will meet the English club's £59m asking price.
Gyokeres arrived at Sporting from Coventry City in the summer of 2023, and he has represented his current side on 80 occasions, scoring 75 goals and registering 21 assists in the process.
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Is Gyokeres the right signing for Man United?
The Swede's knowledge of Amorim's 3-4-3 system makes him an even more attractive signing for the Red Devils, as he has proven that he can be a prolific goalscorer operating in that formation.
Gyokeres has never played in the Premier League, but he scored 43 goals and registered 17 assists in 116 appearances for Coventry, and he has proven himself in the Champions League this season.
If a deal could be done in the region of £60m, then it could be a bargain, especially in the current market, with Man United desperately needing to boost their options in that area of the field.
Rasmus Hojlund remains Man United's starting striker, but the Denmark international has only scored twice in 16 appearances in the Premier League during the 2024-25 campaign, and he again struggled to make his mark in Thursday's 3-1 win over Southampton.
Matt Law
