SPORTING LISBON will reportedly let star man Viktor Gyokeres leave for a cut-price fee next summer – with some of Europe’s biggest clubs ready to pounce.
The 26-year-old has an £85million release clause in his contract, which expires in June 2028.
But according to Sky Germany, that will be reduced at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Gyokeres, who has scored 14 goals in as many games this season, will therefore be allowed to leave Sporting next summer for as little as £50m.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City are among the clubs tracking the sought-after striker.
But Manchester United could also enter the race – especially if Sporting boss Ruben Amorim completes a move to Old Trafford.
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Amorim has been tipped to replace Erik ten Hag following the Dutchman’s departure.
United are set to pay his £8.3m exit clause, meaning he will be free to swap Lisbon for Manchester.
A statement from Sporting on Tuesday afternoon read: “Manchester United has expressed an interest in hiring coach Ruben Amorim, with the Board of Directors of Sporting SAD referring to the terms and conditions set out in the employment contract in force between the Company and the coach, specifically the respective termination clause and the amount of 10m Euros.
“Manchester United has expressed an interest in paying Sporting SAD the amount of the aforementioned clause.”
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Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in charge as interim United boss ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie with Leicester.
But if things go to plan, he could step aside in time for Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man Utd
WHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.
Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.
But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.
Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.
He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers.
The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.
And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.
Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.
Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.
United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”
And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.
For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
