Manchester United Begin Negotiations for Viktor Gyökeres
Manchester United have opened talks with Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyökeres, reviving interest in the prolific Swedish striker after months of speculation. According to Sky Sports, the club have approached Sporting through intermediaries to assess the feasibility of a summer transfer, with head coach Ruben Amorim pushing for a reunion with the player he previously managed in Portugal.
Gyökeres had long been linked with a move to Old Trafford, particularly since Amorim’s arrival at Carrington in November. Despite initially shifting focus towards other targets such as Victor Osimhen and Liam Delap, United have returned to Gyökeres, who scored an astonishing 54 goals in 52 matches last season. His consistency remained unaffected even after Amorim’s mid-season exit from Sporting.
United are determined to reinforce their attacking line regardless of Rasmus Højlund’s future at the club. The Danish forward has stated his intention to remain and fight for his place, but the club are exploring replacements amid concerns over his effectiveness. Højlund’s potential departure, especially with growing interest from Serie A clubs, could help finance the Gyökeres deal, which is expected to cost in the region of £60 million due to a gentleman’s agreement with Sporting allowing the striker to leave this summer.
Ten Hag Eyes Højlund Reunion at Bayer Leverkusen
Erik ten Hag is reportedly looking to bring Rasmus Højlund to Bayer Leverkusen, where he has recently taken over as head coach. The Dutchman remains a strong admirer of the striker he signed for Manchester United in 2023 in a deal worth £72 million. Despite a promising start, Højlund’s time at Old Trafford has been underwhelming, finishing the season with only four Premier League goals and suffering a lengthy scoring drought mid-season.
United are now actively pursuing Gyökeres to bolster their frontline, while Højlund’s availability has caught the attention of several top clubs. Inter Milan have shown concrete interest and are also tracking Joshua Zirkzee. However, Leverkusen could gain the upper hand if they are willing to meet United’s preference for a permanent transfer rather than a loan, which is what Inter have proposed.
Sources close to Stretty News indicate that Ten Hag believes Højlund could flourish outside the intense pressure of Old Trafford. The player’s form under the Dutch coach had shown signs of promise, and a move to Germany could offer the ideal environment for a reset. Interest in the striker remains high across Europe, with AC Milan, Napoli, Juventus, and Bundesliga clubs such as RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, and Eintracht Frankfurt all monitoring the situation.
