Manchester United intensifies their effort to capture the signature of Ruben Amorim's primary January target.

Manchester United are actively pursuing Viktor Gyökeres, a 26-year-old Swedish striker currently playing for Sporting Lisbon. Gyökeres has been in exceptional form, scoring 26 goals in 24 matches this season. United's manager, Ruben Amorim, is keen to strengthen the team's attacking options and views Gyökeres as a key addition. Gyökeres is under contract with Sporting until 2028, with an approximately £80 million release clause. While Sporting might consider lower offers in the summer, a January transfer would likely require meeting the full release clause.  

Viktor Gyökeres is considered one of the most promising strikers in European football, and his blend of physicality, technical ability, and clinical finishing makes him stand out. Gyökeres is an excellent goal scorer. At Sporting Lisbon, he has maintained a high goal-per-game ratio, showcasing his ability to finish chances both inside and outside the box. While primarily a striker, Gyökeres is adept at playing as a second forward or wide forward, making him a versatile option in attack. Standing 6'2" (1.87m), he uses his size and strength to hold up play, shield the ball, and dominate aerial duels. Gyökeres is known for his tireless pressing and off-the-ball movement, making him a valuable asset for teams prioritising high-intensity play. In addition to scoring goals, he has a knack for creating opportunities for teammates, contributing assists and key passes. 

Viktor Gyökeres has achieved significant success under Ruben Amorim's management at Sporting Lisbon. After joining Sporting from Coventry City in July 2023 for €20 million, Gyökeres made an immediate impact by scoring twice in his debut match, contributing to a 3–2 victory over Vizela. During the 2023–2024 season, Gyökeres played a pivotal role in Sporting's campaign, notably scoring in key matches such as the 2–0 win against Porto in December 2023, which propelled Sporting to the top of the league table.  

His consistent performances were instrumental in Sporting securing their 20th Primeira Liga title in May 2024, marking their second league championship under Amorim's leadership. Additionally, Gyökeres's contributions helped Sporting reach the Taça de Portugal final in May 2024, although they were narrowly defeated by Porto in extra time.  Gyökeres's tenure under Amorim has been marked by significant achievements, including a Primeira Liga title and a strong cup run, highlighting the successful partnership between the player and manager. 

However, to facilitate this transfer, Manchester United are considering offloading current forwards Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee. Rashford, in particular, has been seeking a move away from Old Trafford and has engaged with the sports agency Stellar to expedite his departure.  

Joshua Zirkzee, who joined Manchester United in July 2024 for £36.5 million, has faced challenges adapting to the Premier League. Despite scoring on his debut against Fulham, his subsequent performances have been inconsistent, with only four goals and two assists in 27 appearances across all competitions. In a recent match against Newcastle United, Zirkzee was substituted after just 33 minutes, indicating managerial concerns about his form. However, Zirkzee is reportedly determined to fight for his place at Manchester United despite the interest of clubs like Juventus and Napoli. Given the club's current performance and transfer ambitions, it is uncertain how much time Zirkzee will be afforded to settle and prove himself at Manchester United. 

Rashford has been making the headlines in the past month for various reasons after been dropped by coach Amorim. Rashford has not scored double figures goals in the English Premier League since the 2022/2023 season, where he scored 17 goals in 34 Premier League matches, contributing to 30 goals in 54 games across all competitions. So far this season Rashford has been Lukewarm, scoring four goals and one assist, and he made 12 starts from 15 matches. Some potential destinations for Rashford include Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Newcastle United and international options like Paris Saint-Germain.  

However, Rashford has publicly denied these reports, stating on social media that he has not met with any agency and has no plans to do so. He emphasized that any decision about his future would be made without negative comments towards Manchester United. Given these conflicting reports, Rashford's future at Manchester United remains uncertain. The situation is developing, and further updates are anticipated as the January transfer window progresses. 

Additionally, United are looking to strengthen their defence, with interest in Benfica's left-back Álvaro Fernández, Paris and St Germain’s Left Back Nuno Mendes and Brighton & Hove Albion’s goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen as the goalkeeping position still under scrutiny. The club is also open to loaning out underperforming players, such as winger Antony, to make room for new signings. It's worth noting that Manchester United may face competition from other Premier League clubs, including Manchester City, who have also shown interest in Gyökeres.