Manchester United will not break the bank for Viktor Gyokeres – despite the in-demand striker threatening to go on strike to force a move this summer.
The Swedish international will be leaving Sporting Lisbon and Arsenal and United remain his most likely destinations, The i Paper has been told. Yet the complicated nature of a potential deal has put some suitors off.
Do United really want Gyokeres?
The United links are obvious, given how prolific Gyokeres was for Ruben Amorim in Portugal. However, not all senior figures at the club are totally convinced the 27-year-old has the right profile.
As a result, while he remains a top target, United will not go all out for Gyokeres. That is contrary to some information from the player’s side, but the picture has changed since Amorim looked at signing him in the January transfer window.
Sporting were not willing to sell mid-season, but sources insisted at the time he would be allowed to leave for £60m this summer, despite having a €100m (£85m) release clause. The club could not have allowed their star striker to desert them at a crucial juncture in their quest for the Portuguese title.
The club’s president, Frederico Varandas, insisted this week that no agreement with Gyokeres’ agent was ever in place, only that he would be allowed to leave for less than that hefty release clause.
“I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m plus €10m [in add-ons] because I never promised that,” said Varandas. “To this day, Sporting has not received an offer for Gyokeres – neither today nor last summer.
“What was agreed in that meeting? That Sporting would not demand the release clause [this summer[. For one reason, it was because we know no player leaves Portugal at 27 for €100m or €90m euros.
“In that same meeting the agent wanted to anchor the exit to a value. I said this sentence: ‘It’s not worth us setting a value because I don’t know what will happen in a year’s time. I don’t know if it will be €40m, €60m or €80m. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand €100m.’”
The latest on Mbeumo
United have other strike targets, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko being one, with a centre-forward with more goal prowess than Rasmus Hojlund top of Amorim’s wish list.
There is, however, a feeling among many at the club that Joshua Zirkzee could fulfil that role in a fluid front three, flanked by Bryan Mbeumo – for whom a second bid is on the way – and Matheus Cunha.
Zirkzee improved markedly after being booed off by his own supporters in December, before picking up an injury that ended his season prematurely. The Dutchman’s resurrection made him something of a fan favourite, among all the gloom around Old Trafford.
United are back to square one in the transfer market – limited funds to spend until players are moved in the opposite direction. Very little other than bargain hunting can happen without player sales.
United’s outgoings
The i Paper understands no bids have been received for any of the players shoved in the shop window, Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho.
One move that could start to accelerate in the coming days in Antony’s exit. Real Betis, having previously ruled themselves out of making the Brazilian’s stay in Andalucia a permanent one following a successful loan spell, are now doing “all they can” to come up with a package, sources in Spain said.
They are readying a bid that will include several incentives, including a greater portion of image rights being made available to the player, and sell-on clauses to make up for the fact they cannot meet United’s £40m valuation nor the 25-year-old’s current wage package.
Atletico Madrid are also interested, sources added, which may delay a departure as United seek an inflated – and much-needed – fee.
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Rashford’s dream move to Barcelona is no closer to becoming a reality. It is understood that while sporting director Deco is keen, others in the club have their doubts. The La Liga champions also need to oversee some outgoings before assessing their options.
Garnacho is attracting plenty of interest. Napoli remain frontrunners having held talks with United executives, but no bid is yet to have been made.
Fewer suitors are assembling for Sancho, however, with a move to Saudi Arabia or a third spell at Borussia Dortmund the only current exit options available to him.
Hojlund could join the exodus. Inter Milan and Juventus have made contact with the Dane’s representatives, but it remains to be seen whether they can conjure the funds.
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