Man United, Man City 'to lock horns' for Sporting Lisbon star next summer

Gyokeres, 26, has been in red-hot form for the Green and Whites during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 24 goals and registering four assists in 19 appearances in all competitions.

The centre-forward has also scored nine times for Sweden this season, including four against Azerbaijan last time out, and he is expected to leave Sporting for big money at the end of the current campaign.

Man United are said to be in a strong position for the striker following the arrival of Ruben Amorim from Sporting as their new head coach, but Man City have also been heavily linked with the Swede.

The Citizens will be bringing in Hugo Viana from Sporting as their new director of football next summer, and the 41-year-old played a leading role in Gyokeres moving to the Green and Whites from Coventry City in 2023.

Man United, Man City 'to battle' for Gyokeres

According to The Sun, the two Manchester giants will go head to head for Gyokeres, who has a €100m (£83m) release clause in his contract with Sporting.

There have been claims that the forward will be allowed to leave his Lisbon club for around €76m (£63m) next summer, and both Man United and Man City would allegedly be willing to meet that figure.

Gyokeres has scored 67 goals and registered 19 assists in 69 appearances for Sporting, following on from the 43 goals and 17 assists that he managed in 116 matches for Coventry.

"If I start joking about this Gyokeres situation I'll get in trouble," new Man United boss Amorim told reporters towards the end of his time at Sporting. "This is my city, this is my country, so I'll respect it. Viktor has to stay until the end of the season and then his life will probably go somewhere else."

Do Man United, Man City both need a striker?

Man United's senior forwards Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have only scored three goals between them during the 2024-25 campaign, with just two of those coming in the Premier League.

There is currently widespread speculation surrounding Zirkzee's future, with the Netherlands international widely expected to leave Old Trafford next year, so there is a clear spot in the side for a starting striker.

Man City's situation is more interesting, as Erling Haaland has again posted strong numbers this season despite the team's struggles, managing 15 goals in 17 matches in all competitions.

Haaland has a contract at the Etihad Stadium until June 2027, and it would be a surprise to see him leave next year even considering the firm interest from Real Madrid.

As a result, a move to the Etihad Stadium for Gyokeres would be somewhat of a surprise unless Haaland were to depart, with Man United therefore expected to be the favourites to sign the forward next year.