Manchester United have been given a boost in their pursuit of prolific Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres.
United have been heavily linked with a move for the Sweden international, who has scored 32 goals in 30 games in all competitions so far this season. A move to Old Trafford would see Gyokeres reunite with Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim after flourishing under the Portuguese at Sporting.
However, Amorim has promised his former club that he will not raid them in the January transfer window and that any pursuit of Gyokeres will instead have to wait until the summer. It had emerged that Bayern Munich were eyeing the 26-year-old this month as the German giants looked for more depth and competition up front.
It now appears that Bayern's interest in Gyokeres has cooled, with the Bundesliga focusing their efforts on other forward targets. According to Sky Sports Germany, Bayern are in talks with Chelsea over a deal for Christopher Nkunku.
Nkunku has made just three Premier League starts under Enzo Maresca so far this season, with the Chelsea boss favoring Nicolas Jackson as his first choice. And it is claimed that Nkunku is keen to move to Bayern and has already agreed terms.
The 27-year-old is said to be Bayern's top transfer target this month and they are keen to sign him on a permanent deal rather than on a loan. The two clubs remain in discussions about the transfer and Mathys Tel could be involved in the deal.
When asked if Nkunku had expressed a desire to leave Chelsea this month, Maresca insisted: “No, no. We haven't spoken to Christopher about nothing. But the last time I said that [he will listen if a player tells him they want to leave]it's because ultimately we want all players, as we said before, to try to be happy; Knowing those who don't play, they are not happy.
“It's normal. I think in this case too, Christopher wants to play and be happy. He's 27, probably the oldest. Regardless of age, the players want to play and if they don't play, then they're not happy.”
A number of other Chelsea players are also expected to make moves this month, including Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei and Axel Disasi, as the Blues look to trim their squad.
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