Ornstein: United made 11th-hour approaches for two Premier League-bound players last week

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·22. Juli 2025

Ornstein: United made 11th-hour approaches for two Premier League-bound players last week

Manchester United tried their luck with two 11th-hour approaches to both Hugo Ekitike and Viktor Gyokeres last week but were instantly denied.

Initially, according to David Ornstein (via The Athletic), it was the Anfield-bound Frenchman whom United tried to enter the race for, at which point he had already given his word to Liverpool before a £79 million move was agreed.

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The Red Devils then turned their attention to former Ruben Amorim protégé Gyokeres and were informed, perhaps not for the first time, that he has his sights set on signing for Arsenal.

As such, United have now privately made it clear that they will not be pursuing any players unless it’s made clear beforehand that the ‘desire is mutual’.

What now for United after latest failed attempts?

Amorim is looking to improve on last term’s dismal 15th-placed finish. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Whether that results in them not chasing any new targets remains to be seen, as concrete links to forwards have been few and far between this summer.

Ornstein further confirmed that talks had indeed been held over Benjamin Sesko, Nicolas Jackson and Ollie Watkins, but their extortionate price tags (thought to be around £80m, £60m and £80m) are preventing United from materialising their interest any further.

However, this may change in the final stages of the window depnding on if their clubs lower their demands.

Amorim yet to see his options fully bolstered how he desires

If the first half of the summer is anything to go by, with United sanctioning only two arrivals and spending over five weeks negotiating Bryan Mbeumo’s fee, Amorim could well be entering the 2025/2026 campaign with essentially the same squad at his disposal.