Frank Christian
Manchester United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim, is intent on revamping the squad following a disappointing Premier League season. The Portuguese manager aims to enhance the attacking front, having struggled to find the net consistently last term.
The Red Devils have already added Wolves’ Matheus Cunha to their ranks and are on the verge of acquiring Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo. Nonetheless, the team still seeks a top-tier striker to spearhead their attack, with Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres being Amorim’s top choice.
However, the Swedish striker has faced complications recently, as Sporting’s president, Frederico Varandas, stands as a significant barrier to his departure from Lisbon.
It was previously suggested that Gyokeres had a verbal agreement with the club allowing his transfer for around £59 million. Yet, Varandas has categorically denied these claims.
He remains firm, insisting on an £85 million price tag for the Swedish player and has accused Gyokeres and his representative of extortion attempts. Such reactions have frustrated Gyokeres, prompting him to erase Sporting’s name from his social media profiles.
Former Manchester United defender and analyst, Rio Ferdinand, has a distinctive proposal for the Swedish forward. He has encouraged Gyokeres to actively seek a transfer from Sporting, drawing from his own experience in 2002 when he transferred from Leeds to Manchester United.
“I’d be in his (Varandas’) office until he had no choice but to respond. I’d be everywhere—his bedroom, living room, kitchen. He wouldn’t be able to escape me,” Ferdinand shared with talkSPORT.
“If a deal was on the table, I’d be a nuisance until it got sorted. When I learned Manchester United was interested, I approached Peter Ridsdale and insisted we shouldn’t get caught up over minor amounts. We needed to finalize the deal.”
“I lingered for hours until he finally managed to get it done.”
Ferdinand’s Thoughts on Gyokeres
Despite commendable scoring stats during his time at Sporting CP, Ferdinand expresses uncertainty about Gyokeres being the right fit for Manchester United. The striker has tallyed 97 goals in 102 matches for the Portuguese club.
Ferdinand admits he hasn’t watched enough of the 27-year-old yet, but he believes Victor Osimhen could be a better match for Amorim’s tactics, appreciating Osimhen’s extensive experience across various European leagues.
“He definitely has notable skills, but I haven’t seen enough of him to be fully convinced. In the Champions League matches where he’s faced physically matching opponents, I would like to witness more from him.”
“Nevertheless, his goal-scoring ability is undeniable. In Portugal, he has consistently been finding the back of the net and contributing assists for the past couple of years.
“For Manchester United in their current situation, I would prioritize experience and look towards someone akin to Osimhen. He’s skilled, has excelled in different leagues, and has a proven track record. He would be my choice.”
Updates and Relevant Links for Manchester United
- Manchester United reveals new home jersey for the 2025-26 season
- Manchester United considers Premier League and Ligue 1 player to succeed Andre Onana
- Man United receives a significant Serie A trade proposal to obtain a striker who scored 26 goals
