Man United receive huge boost in transfer race for 63-goals striker who favors Old Trafford move – ‘Not a priority’

Man United receive huge boost in transfer race for 63-goals striker who favors Old Trafford move – ‘Not a priority’

Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP is being pursued by a number of major European teams, including Manchester United. Barcelona has now withdrawn from the competition for the striker.

Barcelona’s admission that Viktor Gyokeres is “not a priority” has greatly increased Manchester United’s chances of acquiring the Sporting CP striker.

With the Portuguese champs, 26-year-old Gyokeres is having an incredible second season.

With a remarkable run of 66 goals in 68 games since joining from Coventry City in 2023 and winning the Primeira Liga title under Ruben Amorim last season, he has drawn interest from several of Europe’s elite clubs.

His hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League earlier this month only amplified the buzz around him, with Barcelona, Real Madrid, City, Arsenal, Chelsea and United all reportedly interested in his signature.

With United recently bringing in Amorim – the very coach who transformed the Swede’s fortunes – as their new manager , speculation about Gyokeres’ potential transfer to Old Trafford has gathered momentum.

Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has also now confirmed the Catalan club are not looking to sign him, handing United another boost.

“He is a good player, he has been scoring goals for a long time in Portugal,” Deco told Mundo Deportivo

“We know him like others but he’s not our priority at the moment. We’re not looking for a No.9 to replace Robert [Lewandowski] because we want him to remain happy, scoring goals and at least stay for another season.

“We’ve won things, and he’s happy to be here. We’re not going to talk about any player now.”

While Gyokeres has a reported release clause of £83million, United could land him for a sum of just £63m, while they could also offer Sporting Joshua Zirkzee as part of the deal.

However, any transfer would have to take place next summer rather than during the January window as Amorim has vowed not to raid his former club, at least until the end of the season

As reported by A Bola, Amorim said: “I will not sign any Sporting player at Man United in January… then, what happens in the summer I don’t know. Sporting players are good players. We will see what happens.”

Continuing his stellar form, Gyokeres has bagged 23 goals in 18 games across all competitions this season. His prior experience in English football came at Brighton, a brief loan spell with Swansea City and two-and-a-half seasons with Coventry.