Manchester United target Victor Gyokeres admits he could leave Sporting Lisbon at the end of this season.
Swedish striker Gyokeres has become the hottest prospect in Europe following his remarkable exploits with the Portuguese champions. Gyokeres has plundered 23 goals in just 16 games this season.
The 26-year-old has a release clause in his contract worth €100million (£84m). But it’s understood Sporting president Frederico Varandas agreed to consider offers in the region of €80m (£67m), if Gyokeres was willing to remain with Sporting until the end of this season.
The news will put some of Europe’s biggest clubs on red alert – and is expected to spark a mad scramble for his signature next summer. And the fact United have appointed the player’s former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim will make them one of the favourites to land Gyokeres.
Amorim and Gyokeres enjoyed a close relationship during their time together in Lisbon. United are also among the lowest scorers in the Premier League this season – and in desperate need of a world class finisher.
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Amorim will spend his first six months with United assessing the talent in his squad. Part of the agreement when United secured Amorim’s services last week was that he wouldn’t be able to raid his old club in the January transfer window, and will have to wait until the summer.
Amorim will also have the huge financial backing of United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. And while admitting he isn’t thinking about leaving Sporting right now, Gyokeres insists a move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs wouldn’t faze him.
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He said: “These are rumours, nothing concrete. Of course I want to finish the season at Sporting, I enjoy my time there. I don’t feel stressed about making a change in the future. We’ll see when the time comes.”
Gyokeres admits he’s sad Amorim left to join United and added: “It’s very sad that he left, but of course we understand the decision.”