Manchester United are interested in signing Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres and they have been handed a boost after Bayern Munich decided to focus on another forward target in Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku
Manchester United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of prolific Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres.
United have been heavily linked with a move for the Sweden international, who has scored 32 goals in 30 games across all competitions so far this season. A move to Old Trafford would see Gyokeres reunite with Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim, having thrived under the Portuguese at Sporting.
However, Amorim has promised his former club he will not raid them in the January transfer window and any pursuit of Gyokeres will instead have to wait until the summer. It had emerged that Bayern Munich were eyeing the 26-year-old this month, with the German giants looking to add more depth and competition up front.
It now seems as though Bayern’s interest in Gyokeres has cooled, with the Bundesliga side focusing their efforts on other forward targets. According to Sky Sports Germany, Bayern are in talks with Chelsea over a deal for Christopher Nkunku.
Nkunku has made just three Premier League starts under Enzo Maresca so far this season, with the Chelsea boss preferring Nicolas Jackson as his first-choice striker. And it is claimed that Nkunku is keen on a move to Bayern and has already agreed terms.
The 27-year-old is said to be Bayern’s top transfer target this month and they want to sign him on a permanent deal rather than a loan. The two clubs remain locked in talks over the transfer and Mathys Tel could be included in the deal.
When asked if Nkunku had expressed a desire to leave Chelsea this month, Maresca insisted: “No, no. We didn’t speak about nothing with Christopher. But the last time I said that [he will listen if a player tells him they want to leave], it’s because in the end, we want all the players, as we said before, to try to be happy; knowing the ones that are not playing, they are not happy.
“It is normal. I think also in this case, Christopher also wants to play and he wants to be happy. He’s 27, probably the oldest one. No matter the age, the players want to play and if they do not play, then they are not happy.”
A number of other Chelsea players are also expected to be on the move this month, including Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei and Axel Disasi as the Blues look to trim their squad.
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