Europe's elite are on the brink of war over the signature of Viktor Gyokeres, but Manchester United believe they hold the keys to securing his services.
United reportedly feel they have the edge due to four specific factors, despite their poor season and ever-decreasing pulling power. Rivals Arsenal are in desperate need of reinforcements after Gabriel Jesus suffered a serious knee injury, but Gyokeres may be a little rich in blood midway through the season.
The same is likely to apply to United as clubs struggle with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The summer, however, is a different matter, with the money likely to be made available to Ruben Amorim in what will be his first summer transfer window in charge at Old Trafford.
It is understood that Gyokeres has a release clause worth around £83 million, a figure that will be out of reach for virtually any team in January. However, BBC Sport reported in November that Sporting CP would be willing to accept more than £65 million for their player, with 10 percent of all profits going to his previous club, Coventry City.
The Independent also cited the “good relationship” between United and Sporting as a second reason why the Red Devils could be in pole position for their goal. The clubs have done business in the past, with United recently signing Bruno Fernandes from the Estadio Alvalade during the 2020 winter transfer window.
Before that, players such as Marcos Rojo, Nani and a certain Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Old Trafford through smooth negotiations. And it is reported that United's willingness to respect Sporting's wishes for Gyokeres to finish the season in Lisbon could pay off this summer.
Another factor in their favor is the well-documented relationship between the Swedish striker and United boss Amorim. It was of course Amorim who signed Gyokeres from Sporting in the summer of 2021, and what followed was one of the biggest booms in modern football.
The frontman played like the tip of the spear in Amorim's plans, going from 40 goals in two seasons in the Championship to a better score in his debut season in Portugal. The Independent's report claims that Gyokeres would be “keen to work with Amorim again”, and it is perhaps telling that his numbers have fallen following Amorim's departure to England.
Last but not least, there is the 'pull of Old Trafford and United', which has been spiraling out of control for more than a decade. But with that fall from grace comes the possibility that a revival is always on the horizon, and Gyokeres could entertain the idea of possibly teaming up with his beloved coach to bring about that destiny.
Despite their Premier League prestige having fallen, the reigning FA Cup champions can still attract some of the world's best talents, such as Leny Yoro, who chose United over Real Madrid last summer. And Gyokeres could follow in the footsteps of Swedish greats such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson by leading the way at the Theater of Dreams.
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