A transfer reporter named Graeme Bailey says that Manchester United and Liverpool are in a fight over a deal to sign Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres this summer.
There are a lot of rumors that the Red Devils have been looking to sign a new striker to help Rasmus Hojlund since Anthony Martial is leaving the club for free this summer.
A lot of names, like Ivan Toney, Victor Osimhen, and Joshua Zirkzee, have been brought up as possible targets, but Gyokeres is now looking like the best choice.
Bailey wrote on HITC that Manchester United have found the Swedish international to be the best player to improve their front line and that they have already started talking about a deal to get him to sign.
The reporter also says that Gyokeres is set to leave Sporting and would be willing to join Manchester United. This means that United could try to sign him this summer. But Bailey says that Sporting manager Ruben Amorim is ready to bring Gyokeres with him if he goes to Anfield this summer. Amorim has been highly linked with a move to Liverpool as a possible replacement for Jurgen Klopp.
The Battle
The reporter also says that Arsenal and Chelsea are paying close attention to how the 25-year-old plays this season. That means Manchester United will have to work hard to sign him during the off-season.
Bailey also says that United wants to sign Harry Kane and Osimhen, so if they can’t get Gyokeres this summer, they might try to sign one of those players instead.
It has been said that Gyokeres’ current deal has an £86m release clause. This means that either Manchester United or Liverpool will have to pay a huge amount of money to get him.
The 25-year-old has become famous very quickly after having a great season and helping his team make a title run. He is quick, strong, good in the air, and able to move past defenders in small spaces. He can also finish off his chances and set up other forwards for others to score.
Gyokeres is a good player, and if either Manchester United or Liverpool buys him, they will be smart to do so. That being said, it will be interesting to see if the record Premier League winners or the Merseyside club are able to sign him if he leaves Sporting this summer.