Manchester United ramp up efforts to land highly rated Barcelona target | OneFootball

Manchester United’s interest in Sporting CP’s star forward Viktor Gyokeres has emerged as one of the hottest topics in the transfer market and this could rightly affect Barcelona’s strategy.

According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, who previously coached Gyokeres at Sporting, is keen on bringing the Swedish striker to Old Trafford.

This development could complicate Barcelona’s pursuit of the player, as the Catalan giants have also been monitoring him for some time.

Amorim pushing for Gyokeres

Gyokeres has been one of the standout performers in European football recently. His exceptional form at Sporting has made him a key figure in the transfer market, attracting interest from several top clubs.

Barcelona, known for their search for attacking reinforcements, have been keeping tabs on the Swedish international.

However, Amorim’s familiarity with Gyokeres’ abilities and his deep understanding of the player’s attacking potential might give Manchester United an edge in the race.

Manchester United want to sign Viktor Gyokeres. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Initially, Amorim had pledged not to pursue Gyokeres until at least the summer, respecting his former club Sporting CP. However, with Manchester United struggling in the Premier League, scoring goals has been a persistent issue for the Red Devils.

This pressing need for goals seems to have led Amorim to reconsider his earlier stance, making Gyokeres a potential mid-season solution.

What about Barcelona?

For Barcelona, this news could be a significant setback. The Catalans are unlikely to make a major forward signing in 2025 due to Robert Lewandowski’s expected contract renewal until 2026.

The Polish striker’s extended stay at the club would limit Barcelona’s ability to bring in a high-profile centre-forward like Gyokeres. This situation could allow Manchester United to swoop in and secure the Swedish striker’s signature.

As the summer transfer window approaches, it will be interesting to see how these dynamics unfold.

For now, it appears that Manchester United’s urgent need for attacking reinforcements could give them an advantage in the race for Gyokeres, leaving Barcelona to reconsider their options in the transfer market.