Manchester United are pushing hard to secure Viktor Gyökeres as one of their marquee signings this summer, with INEOS accelerating their transfer plans under the stewardship of manager Rúben Amorim. Although the official transfer window opens on June 16, United have already landed Matheus Cunha, showing clear intent to rebuild quickly following the Club World Cup break. Now, Gyökeres is firmly in their sights, as the Red Devils look to add serious firepower up front.
The pursuit of Gyökeres is not without its twists and turns. Though Sporting CP had initially valued him at around ÂŁ59 million, they’ve now raised the asking price, throwing a wrench into United’s negotiations. Reports say the Swedish striker is furious, believing there was a gentleman’s agreement in place. He’s even threatened to go on strike unless Sporting honors what he sees as a promise. In response, Sporting president Frederico Varandas has doubled down, saying no such deal was made and that threats won’t change their position.
United, however, aren’t backing down just yet. They’re rumored to be readying a formal proposal in the range of ÂŁ60 million plus ÂŁ8 million in add-ons—an attempt to sweeten the deal while spreading the financial blow. This proposal could be submitted within days. Amorim’s influence in the potential reunion with Gyökeres, who flourished under him at Sporting, adds emotional and tactical weight to the pursuit. United’s staff are clearly leaning into familiarity and chemistry as part of their strategy.
Still, the situation hangs in the balance, with the odds of signing Gyökeres sitting at a precarious 50/50. United must navigate not only Sporting’s steely stance but also the player’s growing impatience and external competition from clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool. If United can offload a few players to generate funds and structure the deal creatively, they could still pull this off. But the window is narrow, and the pressure is on.
Sporting is playing hardball—no discounts, no drama. They’ve stated that €80 million (about £68 million) is the only figure they might consider, and even that isn’t guaranteed. The club hasn’t received any formal bids yet, and they’re clearly not feeling the heat. From their perspective, Gyökeres is under contract, and unless someone meets their valuation, he’s not going anywhere. Meanwhile, the player continues to vent his frustration cryptically on social media.
Despite all this, United’s camp appears quietly confident. Amorim, reportedly bound by a “no raid” promise in January, is no longer constrained by that gentleman’s agreement, meaning he’s free to push for players he believes will fit his vision. Alongside Gyökeres, the club is also in talks with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and considering other attacking options like Antoine Semenyo. So Gyökeres may not be the only name on their radar, but he remains a priority target.
Rio Ferdinand, former United legend, has chimed in with some spicy takes, suggesting that Gyökeres might need to “pull a Rio” and force the move through old-school style—dig in, push harder, and make Sporting uncomfortable. However, he also said he prefers Osimhen as a long-term fit. That kind of public commentary only adds more noise to an already intense saga. Meanwhile, Sporting’s fanbase stands divided—some want the fee, others want to keep their goal machine.
Bottom line? This deal is still on, but teetering. It’ll take some serious financial juggling from United, a bit of humility from Sporting, and Gyökeres keeping his cool. If all parties find middle ground, it could happen quickly. If not, United may pivot to other targets. But make no mistake, the Gyökeres deal is alive—smouldering under the weight of expectation, ego, and economics.
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