Music to INEOS’ ears: Club chief makes ‘he will go’ admission over one of ‘Europe’s hottest properties’

Today marks the first official day of Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United tenure, with INEOS’ transfer chiefs likely already drawing up plans for how they can bolster his squad this winter.

After the news of his Red Devils switch became common knowledge, Amorim was quickly hounded by reporters during his final fortnight with Sporting Lisbon regarding his new ventures in England.

One frequent question was, expectedly, whether he planned to bring any of his top performers with him from Portugal over to Old Trafford. He affirmed his stance that, out of respect for his former club, he would not be making any moves for their players in January.

That’s not to say he won’t push to do so in the summer, though – and the United faithful are certainly hoping he does. 

United fans are pushing for a 2025 Viktor Gyokeres swoop

Indeed, supporters are crossing their fingers that Amorim can use his ties to lure prolific frontman Viktor Gyokeres to M16 next year, in a transfer that could finally put an end to the club’s longstanding striker/goalscoring woes once and for all. 

Gyokeres has recently been dubbed ‘one of Europe’s hottest properties’, and it’s no wonder why. A frankly unprecedented 2023/2024 term culminated with the Swede tallying 43 goals and 15 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions. He’s on course to obliterate that record this campaign if his start is anything to go by, as he’s already notched 23 goals and four assists in 18 outings – including a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League last week.

Luckily for United – and the host of other top European clubs targeting him – the 26-year-old not only has a release clause in his contract worth £83 million, but he also reportedly has a gentleman’s agreement which would force Sporing’s hand into accepting a lower bid to allow Gyokeres to make a move he desires. It could be in the region of £63m, which, based on his recent exploits, seems like something of a bargain in this day and age.

The Portuguese club’s president, Frederico Varandas, addressed the striker’s uncertain future this week, saying:“I can’t promise anything. If a club arrives and pays the release clause if he wants to go… he will go”.

“But I do not think this will happen in January.”