Viktor Gyokeres is in high demand (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is set to go head-to-head with his good friend at Manchester City for the signature of Sporting’s £65million-rated striker Viktor Gyokeres, per The Mirror.
The 26-year-old Swedish international is Amorim’s top target for next summer, but City’s incoming sporting director Hugo Viana is also hot on Gyokeres’ heels.
Viana, who will take over from Txiki Begiristain at the end of the season, was instrumental in Sporting’s £20million acquisition of Gyokeres from Coventry 18 months ago.
The forward, who has had stints at Brighton and Swansea, recently showcased his goalscoring prowess by netting a hat-trick against City in a 4-1 Champions League victory.
Both Amorim and Viana share a close bond with the player. Recognising the lack of goals in the squad he inherited from Erik ten Hag, Amorim is hoping the prospect of being United’s leading striker will be an enticing offer.
As he prepares for his first game at the helm, Amorim has made it clear that he wants significant input on player recruitment. Despite having Dan Ashworth as sporting director and Jason Wilcox as technical director, Amorim believes the final say on signings should rest with the coach.
He said: “I think it has to be [done] all together, because if you are a coach that comes in here and already chose the players, it could be wrong because this is a football club that will be here for a long time and you as a coach, you don’t know that.
“So you have to work all together and for that we have to improve the process of recruitment.
Ruben Amorim would like to reunite with Viktor Gyokeres (Image: Getty Images)
“The data, the profile of the players we want but I have to have a strong position on that because I’m the coach and I know how to play so I think it’s all together but the final word, as you can say, should be with the manager – not just because it is your right but because it is your responsibility, because in the end they will ask you about the results, is to me.
“I think it’s all together, improve the process of recruitment, I have to understand the league, that is important and then when everything is aligned, everybody is on the same page, we can buy and sell players.”
On another note, City is reportedly searching for additional striking talent despite Erling Haaland’s impressive performance. Post selling Julian Alvarez for £80million to Atletico Madrid, the Citizens are yet to find a replacement.
Victor Gyokeres is believed to be om City’s radar, but the player would require confirmation of a more prominent role than just being Haaland’s stand-in to consider joining City amidst interest from other clubs.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1979908/Man-Utd-Viktor-Gyokeres-Man-City