Manchester United are battling to get their hands on Sporting Lisbon’s prolific striker, Viktor Gyokeres as they are interested in strengthening their attacking unit for the upcoming year.
Gyokeres has managed a highly impressive 43 goals in 50 matches for Sporting, which keeps him within the radar of some top European clubs. This great form also brought Manchester United into the hunt to secure a forward who can easily deliver atleast 30 goals a season.
First, United was targeting RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. However, Sesko has finally chosen to stay in the Bundesliga for one more year.
It is then that United has shifted their interest towards Gyokeres. He has been marked as one of the most in-form strikers in European football at this time.
It won’t be an easy transfer even with Manchester United keen on him. Sporting Lisbon is already insisting on a tidy sum for Gyokeres as his release clause is reportedly £85 million.
United was hoping to discuss a deal in the region of £50-60 million, but Sporting held firm to their own valuation and insisted that the release clause must be met if any deal is to go through.
Though Gyokeres is attractive in terms of his goals-to-game ratio in the Portuguese league, many questions have been raised as to whether he can transfer this form into the Premier League.
Also Read: Manchester United Launches £45m Bid For Everton’s Branthwaite
The top flight in England is termed to be much more competitive, and some people have doubt that Gyokeres would be what Manchester United need.
The Red Devils have been scouring for a striker who can bring different methods of attack to the table, one that is capable of guaranteeing goals for the team time after time.
For that large amount, many question if it’s worth investing £85 million in Gyokeres when, perhaps, the Premier League might offer an even greater value for money with quite a few strikers out there at lesser prices.
The next few weeks will be important as United weigh up their options and decide whether to meet Sporting’s demands for Gyokeres. What is not in doubt is that he has the talent to be of interest to Europe’s elite clubs.
Whether he makes the move to Old Trafford or indeed stays in Lisbon will depend on Manchester United’s willingness to splash out the substantial fee required to secure his services.
While Viktor Gyokeres seems like an attractive option for Manchester United, it is the financial implications of that transfer which could be a big swing.
