Manchester United have joined the race for Swedish scoring sensation Viktor Gyokeres, as revealed by Graeme Bailey.
The Red Devils are preparing for a new era led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe following his completed investment in the club. That new era is looking to have an entirely different look to the lineup at Old Trafford after news emerged that the entire squad was up for sale, with only three players considered off-limits.
The club are willing to listen to offers for their stars, including Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes. Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho are not available, and they will not entertain offers for the trio. Bruno Fernandes was the first player to address his future at Manchester United, revealing his future is not on his mind before the end of this season.
With a squad overhaul beginning for the club, Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres has emerged as a target for the club this summer, with talks already said to have taken place.
Ten Hag’s United future is in the air.
One question remains as to who will be in the dugout at Old Trafford next season after another disappointing campaign. They are set to compete in their second successive FA Cup final against noisy neighbours Manchester City. Despite this, the side has had an entirely disappointing campaign, missing out on the top four and being knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages from a group many considered an easy route to the knockout stages.
With that campaign under his belt and just the Carabao Cup win on his resume, it seems time may have run out for the former Ajax manager. The door is reportedly open for a return to Ajax for Ten Hag, with rumours swirling of a new manager on the red side of Manchester. One manager recently linked by Bailey has been former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who will leave his post at Bayern Munich at the end of this season.
Is a new striker needed at Manchester United?
The squad overhaul at United is needed in all areas. Goals are just as much a problem as stopping them for United, having the worst goal difference of the teams occupying European places. Injuries have plagued the club this season in defence. Before the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City, Harry Maguire was the club’s only fit centre-back, leaving Casemiro as his partner in the back four for that fixture.
Rasmus Hojlund has not had a poor season, to say the least, with eight goals in his 26 Premier League appearances. However, when you consider this is a striker that United paid €72 million for, it is a poor return for what they paid. Nevertheless, he has begun to flourish on occasion and showed promise, but his performance against Burnley, where he failed to register a single shot in the 65 minutes he played, should be enough to cause concern.
Gyokeres could be the answer for Manchester United.
At such a young age, Hojlund could benefit from a prolific goal scorer’s guidance at Old Trafford, and who better to do that than someone who is arguably the most in-form goalscorer on the planet?
Gyokeres captured plenty of attention at Coventry City and earned a move to Portuguese side Sporting CP. Following his exploits with the league leaders, he seems to have earned himself another move up the European football ladder as clubs all over chase his signature, United joining the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan, to name a few.
The Swedish forward has scored 26 goals in 30 appearances in the league for Sporting, notching ten assists to take his goal contribution tally to 36 all season domestically.
With a disappointing return when value for money is concerned, Hojlund does need a strike partner who can help boost his confidence. Gyokeres could be the key to helping boost the numbers in front of goal, as well as aiding the young Dane’s confidence levels.