Manchester United have been told that Sporting Lisbon have “no choice” but to sell Viktor Gyokeres.
The Red Devils have been linked with a move for the Swedish striker following the arrival of his former boss Ruben Amorim to Old Trafford. The new United boss has already made sure he will stay away in January out of respect for his former team.
But he doesn't completely rule out a dive at some point in the future. And the Red Devils' hopes of signing him could be fueled by the difference in revenues between the two clubs, according to ex-Premier League star Jose Fonte.
Speaking to JeffBet, the defender said: “Portuguese clubs have no choice but to sell for the right price. We have to sell. Portuguese clubs have to sell one or two players every season.
“We don't have the same TV rights as the Premier League, so we don't have the capacity to retain players. Of course, it would be great to see Portugal have a little more capacity to retain their talent.
“That's what people in the different federations are trying to do. Sporting will listen and they will probably have to sell Viktor Gyokeres because Portuguese clubs have to raise a lot of money every year.”
Gyokeres has been in sensational form for Sporting since his arrival from Championship side Coventry. The 26-year-old has scored 66 goals in just 68 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese giants.
His contract runs for another four years. According to reports, his current side Sporting could be willing to sell for £70 million – a significantly lower amount than the £85.3 million release clause in his contract.
And while Fonte believes Gyokeres is ready for a move to Manchester, he thinks the Red Devils already have a solution to their attacking problems. He has suggested that Jadon Sancho, who is currently in the middle of a loan spell at Chelsea, could be given a second chance under Amorim.
“Jadon Sancho will have the chance to impress Ruben Amorim this summer because it is a new start and a new opportunity for everyone,” Fonte added. “Something could click between him and Amorim because he knows exactly what he wants from his players in every area of the pitch.
“He also likes to give the 10s the freedom to be creative and that is exactly what Sancho needs. It could be a great opportunity for him.”
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