Ruben Amorim may carry ex-Championship ace wished by Premier League rivals to Man Utd

Ruben Amorim could look to bring Sporting CP’s star striker Viktor Gyokeres with him to Manchester United to solve their problems in front of goal.

United have scored just eight times in the Premier League so far this season in a disastrous run of form that left them slumped 14th in the table and ultimately led to the sacking of Erik ten Hag on Monday. Now, with Amorim’s club Sporting confirming that talks over him joining the Red Devils are ongoing, attention has turned to how the 39-year-old coach may address his new side’s shortcomings.

An obvious solution could be found in Gyokeres – the former Brighton, Swansea and Coventry City man who has become one of the most sought-after strikers in world football under Amorim’s tenure in Portugal. The chances of him leaving Sporting might have increased with Amorim’s imminent departure, although his hefty £85m release clause could put off some suitors.

However, while that clause doesn’t expire until June 2028, Sky Germany report it will be reduced at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, meaning the 26-year-old ace could leave for less than half that figure. The Swedish star has notched 59 goals in 65 games in all competitions for Sporting, including a staggering 41 strikes in 42 league appearances.

Brighton must be kicking themselves, having signed him as a young prospect from Swedish side Brommapojkarn, only for him to never kick a ball for the Seagulls. He was instead loaned to St Pauli, Swansea City and Coventry City, before Brighton let him join the Midlanders for just £1m over three years ago.

He bagged 38 goals in 91 games in all competitions for the Championship side, hitting 17 league goals in his first full season and 21 the next, before Sporting signed him in 2023 for a club record £17m. In his first season in Portugal, he helped Sporting win the league title and also won the Bola de Prata for top scorer in the Primeira Liga with 29 goals in 33 games, and the Player of the Year award.

Everton previously missed out on signing the striker because they are said to have turned down paying £20m for him up front rather than £17m plus £3m in add-ons. He has also bagged 10 goals in 24 outings for Sweden and during his time in Portugal he has been linked with moves to both Manchester City and Arsenal.

Amorim would clearly give United a key advantage in any transfer battle, given the striker’s agent has said Gyokeres moved to Sporting “precisely because of Ruben”. And with goal shy Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee yet to justify their transfers to Old Trafford, plus the ongoing poor form of Marcus Rashford, a proven and consistent marksman is exactly what the Red Devils need.