Man Utd learn Viktor Gyokeres price as Marcus Rashford leans towards transfer
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has demanded the immediate signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon.
The Swedish striker has a release clause of £80m in his contract with the Portuguese club.
Gyokeres has been in remarkable form this season, scoring 26 goals in 24 appearances for club and country.
Amorim has told United bosses he cannot wait until the summer to secure his top target, with the club currently struggling in 14th place in the Premier League.
Viktor Gyokeres is top of Ruben Amorim's wish list
Reuters
The 26-year-old forward has established himself as one of Europe's most sought-after strikers, notably scoring a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League in November.
The potential move could be funded by the departures of Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee, who are both expected to leave Old Trafford in the coming weeks.
Rashford is reportedly keen to seek a new challenge away from United.
Zirkzee, who has endured a difficult start to his United career, has attracted interest from several Italian clubs, with Juventus linked to a potential reunion with his former Bologna manager Thiago Motta.
United will need to offload players before making any significant additions in the January window, with any move for Gyokeres requiring approval from both co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers.
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The club's attacking woes have been evident this season, with United among the Premier League's lowest scorers.
Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas is expected to demand the full £80m release clause if United want to sign Gyokeres during the January transfer window.
The Portuguese club could be more flexible on the fee in the summer, but will hold firm on the release clause for any mid-season transfer.
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Marcus Rashford could leave United to fund a move for Viktor Gyokeres
Reuters
The substantial price tag has put several of Europe's biggest clubs on alert, with a potential bidding war looming for the Swedish international's signature.
However, United are considered favourites to land Gyokeres due to his previous relationship with Amorim at Sporting.
When asked previously about following Amorim to United, Gyokeres said: "I don't know, I'm here. I really like being here, it's not something I think about."
Amorim and Gyokeres enjoyed a successful partnership during their time together at Sporting Lisbon, where the striker developed into one of Europe's deadliest marksmen.
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Ruben Amorim is desperate to bolster his squad in January
Reuters
The pair's close working relationship could prove crucial in United's pursuit of the Swedish international.
United's need for a world-class finisher has become increasingly urgent, with the club failing to score in three of their last four matches.
Current striker Rasmus Hojlund has managed just two goals in 14 league games this season.
Amorim had initially played down talk of a January move for his former striker when he arrived at Old Trafford in November.
However, United's dire form, including three straight home defeats for the first time in 45 years, has prompted the Portuguese manager to change his stance.
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