Man Utd 'step up' Viktor Gyokeres pursuit as Man City register interest

Manchester United are said to have accelerated their pursuit of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres as they look to beat rivals Manchester City to his signature.

Gyokeres emerged as one of the world's most-wanted strikers after his move to Sporting in the summer of 2023, racking up 66 goals in 68 games under Ruben Amorim before the manager's move to United last month.

United have since been tipped to try and reunite Gyokeres and Amorim in 2025, and Sky Sport Germany state the Red Devils recently made contact to try and force their way to the front of the queue for his signature.

United are described as "actively interested" in Gyokeres, but any move for the 26-year-old could be complicated by rival interest from City, with incoming sporting director Hugo Viana keen to bring Gyokeres to the Etihad Stadium with him next summer.

Gyokeres' contract with Sporting CP includes a release clause worth €100m (£82.9m) but he is expected to be allowed to leave for less next summer. Indeed, a gentleman's agreement has been struck between Gyokeres and Sporting to entertain offers of between €60m (£49.8m) and €70m (£58.1m).

Despite the mounting interest in his services, Gyokeres has publicly pledged his desire to see out the season with Sporting, but he refused to close the door to a summer move to United.

Amorim has also vowed not to target any Sporting players in January, although reports suggest teenage sensation Geovany Quenda could soon be the subject of a £50m bid ahead of a summer move once he has turned 18.

Publicly, Amorim has pushed back on suggestions of imminent major spending, insisting his primary task is to work with the players he has inherited.

READ THE LATEST MAN UTD NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP