Man Utd move ahead of Arsenal in Viktor Gyokeres race after Jim Ratcliffe’s ruthless decision

Manchester United are back in the hunt for Viktor Gyokeres as they eye a new frontman with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s financial decisions potentially freeing up funds to land the Sporting Lisbon star

Manchester United look to be leading the race for Viktor Gyokeres – leaping ahead of Arsenal as the Sporting Lisbon striker looks poised to move on this summer.

Gyokeres has just smashed the 50-goal barrier in Portugal, helping his side claim the domestic double, but a move to pastures new is expected. Links to Manchester have been occurring since Ruben Amorim was appointed as manager – and a reunion is now on the cards.

United are going after more firepower this summer, signing Matheus Cunha, and Gyokeres could be the man to lead their line. It is understood that the Swede is not put off by the lack of Champions League football and is open to the move.

United’s failure to qualify for European football initially looked like it would serious damage their hopes of spending big in the summer, but that may no longer be the case.

The Sun reports that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s unpopular decisions could be about to bear fruit. His cost-cutting measures have seen numerous members of staff lose their job but the club’s recently released quarterly account revealed that their operating expenses have dropped by over £40million.

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That could free up funds for United to go after Gyokeres, who is valued at around £65m. That is less than his release clause but the Swede has an agreement with Sporting to let him depart for less after he chose to stick around last summer.

Already Amorim has captured Matheus Cunha for £62.5m. Arsenal have been heavily linked as they look to solve their issues in the final third but their primary target looks to be Benjamin Sesko at RB Leipzig. That could leave United a free path to go after Gyokeres.

Throughout the campaign both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failed to inspire confidence leading the line at Old Trafford. As a result there was always expected to be movement in that area of the squad and that could lead to an overhaul.

Gyokeres himself has spoken out on his future and recently said: “Let us see. It’s hard for me to say, because yeah it is football and you never know what’s going to happen in the summer. So for me to say anything else than that is impossible.”

United recently missed out on Liam Delap, who impressed for Ipswich throughout last season. He chose Chelsea over the Manchester outfit, moving to Stamford Bridge for £30m.

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