Man Utd and Man City ready for £65m Gyokeres transfer scrap

RUBEN AMORIM will scrap with old friend Hugo Viana for Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres next year.

The 26-year-old striker became a top player under coach Amorim at Sporting and his release clause could see him move for £65 million.

Manchester United are confident that Amorim's arrival as boss will secure his signature.

But they face a battle with Manchester City and Viana, who will take over as football director after leaving Sporting next summer.

Viana oversaw the Swedish star's signing from Coventry last year.

And it turned out to be a masterstroke, as Gyokeres has since become Europe's most in-demand striker, with 58 goals for club and country by 2024.

Amorim refused to fuel the speculation during his first United press conference on Friday.

But he did admit that he hopes Gyokeres remains injury-free and continues to score.

The new Red Devils boss said: “Viktor Gyokeres is a Sporting player.

“He has a game tonight [Friday] I hope he plays well, doesn't get injured and continues to be successful at Sporting.”

Portuguese Viana, 41, played a key role in Amorim becoming Sporting boss in 2020.

But he wants to send him to the post for Gyokeres at City.

The release clause rules out a bidding war, but instead sets the tone for an intriguing tug-of-war.

Man Utd have struggled to score goals so far this season, scoring just 12 goals in 11 Premier League games.

Meanwhile, neighbors Man City suffered a fifth successive defeat in all competitions on Saturday as Tottenham beat them 4-0 at the Etihad.

Erling Haaland has scored twelve goals in all competitions, but the team's next highest scorers are Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic with three goals.