Victor Gyokeres responds to Manchester United hyperlink with ‘most essential factor’ admission

Sporting CP’s star forward, Viktor Gyokeres, has finally broken his silence on the swirling rumours linking him with a move to join Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.

The Swedish international’s future at Sporting CP has been thrust into the limelight, especially since Amorim officially jumped ship from the Portuguese champions to Old Trafford this week.

Speaking to Fotbollskanalen, Gyokeres expressed his feelings about Amorim’s departure: “It’s very sad that he’s leaving, but of course we understand his decision,” and added, “He has of course meant a lot [to me] considering that he gave me that chance and that he made me develop so much.”

Amorim is currently gearing up his Man United squad for an away game against Ipswich Town next weekend, which will serve as an initial gauge of which areas in his team need bolstering.

Despite splashing out £108.5m on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in the past two summers, even before Amorim’s arrival, he was already being heavily linked with bringing in the striker he knows well.

This could be partly due to the underwhelming impact both young forwards have had since joining, while Gyokeres himself has been banging in goals left, right and centre during his stint in Portugal – a whopping 66 goals in 68 appearances, to be precise.

Amorim has made it clear he won’t be poaching any players from his old squad this January, but he’s keeping his cards close to his chest about any moves after the season wraps up. Meanwhile, Gyokeres has spilled the beans that he’s not had a peep from Man United about a potential transfer, reports the Manchester Evening News.

“He [Amorim] probably has some strikers there already, so we’ll see,” said the 26 year old hotshot. “No, he hasn’t [contacted me]. It’s fun but nothing I attach any importance to because it’s talk and nothing concrete.”

When quizzed on what would make him switch clubs, he dished: “That you get an important role and that you get to play. That’s the most important thing. There are other things that also need to be in place, but I’ll take it when it comes.”

If Man United decide to hold off until the summer to make their move, whispers suggest there’s a gentleman’s agreement with Sporting that could let them snag Gyokeres for a cool £50m-£58m, dodging the hefty £83m release clause.