Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Manchester United are hopeful of holding off competition for Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres to secure a deal in the summer.
Arsenal are understood to have raised the striker in discussions over a badly-needed forward signing for January, having brought forward plans from the summer after the ACL injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus.
Mikel Arteta this week admitted they are looking, and Gyokeres has been raised along with options such as Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson. Arsenal have not seriously pursued PSG’s Randal Kolo Muani yet this window.
The French striker is set to move to Juventus, which could see Dusan Vlahovic leave the Italian club, although Arteta’s interest in the striker is currently not as strong as was reported three years ago.
Gyokeres’ form for Sporting has seen him outstrip many other strikers as a target for Europe’s top clubs, with the situation potentially facilitated by a release clause under £100m.
United cannot afford that in this window without a series of sales, but Sporting would also prefer to keep the forward for a full season, having already lost their star manager Ruben Amorim to Old Trafford.
The clubs have a good relationship, which has fostered a belief that Gyokeres is likelier to move in the summer rather than now. While the Swedish international is naturally keen to take his career to the next level, he would love to work with Amorim again, given the Portuguese is credited with bringing out the best qualities in Gyokeres’ game.
There is also the lure of Old Trafford and United as a club, as they embark on a new era. Sources say there is hope from within all of this can stave off other interest, and ensure Gyokeres arrives at the end of the season.
