Manchester United's already slim chances of signing Viktor Gyokeres this month have become even slimmer with the news that Bayern Munich are in the hunt for the Sporting Lisbon star.
United are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling and Marcus Rashford eyeing an exit in the January transfer window. Ruben Amorim's side had failed to score in three consecutive games before improving strongly in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Anfield.
After dropping him from the squad, Amorim has given the green light to Rashford's possible departure this month provided the club's £40 million valuation is met. There is also interest in Zirkzee, with Amorim admitting that he does not know whether the Dutchman can also leave this month.
Gyokeres has scored 73 goals in 78 appearances for Sporting and has been linked with a move to Old Trafford since Amorim and his coaching staff made the move on November 1. The 39-year-old United coach has made it clear to the club's hierarchy that he would like to sign the Sweden international at the first opportunity.
That was already a gamble considering Gyokeres has an £80m release clause and now The Daily Star reports that Bayern Munich have joined the race. The Bavarian giants are reportedly willing to pay the release clause and their status in Germany, as well as their presence in the Champions League, makes them a more attractive proposition for Gyokeres.
United are playing in the Europa League this season and are thirteenth in the Premier League, making a return to Europe's top club competition in 2025/2026 unlikely.
Mirror Football understands that Amorim assured Sporting that he would not sign any of their players during the January transfer window as a gesture of goodwill. He has already admitted that he has no chance of luring Gyokeres to United mid-season. “I'm not going to sign any players from Sporting in January,” he admitted. “Gyokeres costs a hundred million euros and it is very difficult.”
Speaking at a press conference while still at Sporting, Amorim added: “This is my city, this is my country, so I will respect it. Viktor has to stay until the end of the season and then his life will probably go somewhere else.”
The summer transfer window could be very different with an overhaul of the underperforming squad already planned. Amorim knows he will have to operate on a limited transfer budget, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS hierarchy tightening their belts.
Erik ten Hag was handed £600 million in transfers during his two-and-a-half year reign as manager, but his successor can expect a much more modest financial backing. United are under pressure to meet profit and sustainability rules after posting a pre-tax loss of £312.9 million over the past three seasons.
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