Viktor Gyokeres gentleman’s agreement provides transfer boost for Manchester United

Manchester United could land Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres for less than his £84 million release clause next summer.

The Swede, who has continued his goalscoring spree for Sporting this season, has emerged as a top target for United following the arrival of Ruben Amorim as head coach.

Former Arsenal captain William Gallas believes the Gunners have no chance of signing Gyokeres as the Frenchman tips United to be successful in the race for his signature.

Gyokeres has a release clause in his deal at the Jose Alvalade Stadium which is set around £84m and expires in 2028.

According to The Sun, Gyokeres is believed to have a gentleman’s agreement with Sporting that will allow him to go for much less if he sees the season out with them.

Sporting would demand £67m but could accept as little as £63m.

Three Premier League clubs are believed to be interested in the 26-year-old, including United. The others are Arsenal and Chelsea.

Amorim has ruled out signing any Sporting players in January – but that doesn’t mean United won’t chase any of them in the summer.

The former Sporting CP boss said (via The Metro): “I’ve just made peace with the Sporting fans so I’m not even going to make a joke about it.

“Gyokeres is a Sporting player and it’s a great club, he did a lot for the club. He just has to stay and finish the season at the club.”

After citing the above report and reading Amorim’s recent comments, I can’t help but feel he already knows about Gyokeres’ gentleman’s agreement. How couldn’t he as his previous manager?

Amorim has pull factor when it comes to Sporting players, who will be devastated to see him depart. Gyokeres already admitted that they will miss him dearly.

“We will miss him a lot,” the forward said. “We’ve done amazing things together.

“We have to look forward and attack the next challenge ahead of us.”

Viktor Gyokeres can bring goals to Manchester United

United are likely to be in the market for a number nine after struggling for goals again this season.

New signing Joshua Zirkzee doesn’t look like a goalscorer and Rasmus Hojlund is a work in progress.

The Reds have been reliant on Alejandro Garnacho’s goals this season, but he’s still a youngster which makes inconsistency inevitable.

Gyokeres has 27 goal contributions in 18 matches for Sporting this season and it wouldn’t surprise me if Amorim made him a priority target next summer.