Ruben Amorim has already ruled that Manchester United will not swoop to sign any Sporting stars – despite links to Victor Gyokeres and Geovany Quenda – in the January transfer window and that could see the Red Devils miss out if rival suitors enter the fray for either player this winter
Ruben Amorim has already ruled that Manchester United will not swoop to sign any Sporting stars – despite links to Victor Gyokeres and Geovany Quenda – in the January transfer window and that could see the Red Devils miss out if rival suitors enter the fray for either player this winter Ruben Amorim has already ruled that Manchester United will not swoop to sign any Sporting stars – despite links to Victor Gyokeres and Geovany Quenda – in the January transfer window and that could see the Red Devils miss out if rival suitors enter the fray for either player this winter
Ruben Amorim has already given Sporting his word that Manchester United will not raid the Portuguese club for their most-valuable assets this winter.
However, the gentleman’s agreement could yet prevent Amorim from bringing prolific striker Viktor Gyokeres to Old Trafford next summer as it presents a window of opportunity for transfer rivals to pounce this January when there will be a chance to beat United to the punch.
Amorim said last week: “Gyokeres costs £100million. It’s very complicated. I will not take any of Sporting’s players in January. But that’s another story.”
He later added following Sporting’s 4-1 Champions League thrashing of Manchester City, in which Gyokeres netted an impressive hat-trick: “Viktor has to stay until the end of the season and then his life will probably go somewhere else.”
A handful of top European clubs including City, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are tracking the Swede, who has an £85million release clause.
But the player, who recently claimed the figure was too high, is believed to have been told by Sporting chiefs that he can leave next summer for a reduced price, providing he sees out the current campaign in Lisbon.
Meanwhile, United are also admirers of 17-year-old Sporting winger Geovany Quenda and had already been scouting the talented teenager before they swooped to appoint Amorim.
But much like Gyokeres – if suitors table sufficient cash in the January window, the Red Devils would likely prove powerless. Crucially, Amorim has great respect for Sporting and wants relations to remain amicable ahead of his mid-season exit.
Several Sporting players including Gyokeres have already outlined their commitment to the club since Amorim’s impending departure was confirmed and the hierarchy remain determined to keep their squad together for the rest of the campaign before they’re forced to consider the prospect of an end-of-season fire-sale.
(
Image:
Getty Images)
PSG are said to be strongly considering a lucrative move for the Sweden international attacker as he is rated highly by their football advisor Luis Campos.
There have already been suggestions in France in recent days that Campos’ trusted assistant Olivier Gagne has already held dialogue with Gyokeres’ reps Hasan Cetinkaya and Ali Dursun to discuss a transfer.
Ultimately, a decision whether to push ahead with a deal could rest with boss Luis Enrique, who is losing patience with Randal Kolo Muani following his disappointing big-money £76.4m switch from Eintracht Frankfurt, but from a financial perspective, departures may be necessary to facilitate a bid.
Amorim is expected to persist with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee until the end of the season before a decision is made on the possible signing of a new striker.
Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Mirror – Sport
