Man United 'handed' major Viktor Gyokeres boost as rivals 'pull out' of race for prolific striker

Gyokeres has been in red-hot form for Sporting during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 23 goals in 17 appearances in all competitions, including 16 goals in 10 outings in Portugal's top flight.

Ruben Amorim is said to be keen to bring Gyokeres with him to Man United next summer, and there is currently a host of speculation surrounding the Sweden international's future.

Despite having a €100m (£83m) release clause in his contract, it is understood that the forward will be allowed to leave the Green and Whites next summer for a fee in the region of €76m (£63m).

Manchester City are also said to be in the picture for the 26-year-old, who scored three times against the Premier League champions in the Champions League earlier this week.

PSG 'not planning move for Gyokeres next year'

PSG have also been credited with an interest, with the French champions bidding to bring in a replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who departed on a free transfer over the summer to join Real Madrid.

Bradley Barcola is PSG's leading goalscorer this season with eight, while Ousmane Dembele has had a strong season to date, scoring five goals and registering seven assists in 12 appearances in all competitions.

Randal Kolo Muani, though, only has two goals in 12 appearances, and a new striker is expected to be a priority for the capital giants next year.

A move for Gyokeres is allegedly currently off the table, with Man United and Man City therefore potentially going head-to-head for the former Coventry City striker's signature during next summer's transfer window.

Amorim expects Gyokeres to leave Sporting next summer

Amorim, who will officially become Man United's new head coach on Monday, said after the Champions League clash with Man City that he is expecting Gyokeres to leave Lisbon next summer.

"If I start joking about this Gyokeres situation I'll get in trouble," Amorim told reporters. "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."

Gyokeres has a record of 66 goals in 67 appearances for Sporting in all competitions, while he has also contributed 19 assists for his Portuguese club since making the move from Coventry in the summer of 2023.

When asked about a possible move to Man United last week, he told Record: "I don't know, I'm here. I really like being here, it's not something I think about. I'm enjoying it here."

Arsenal were also credited with an interest in Gyokeres earlier this year, and a new striker is again expected to be a priority for the Gunners during next summer's transfer window.