Ruben Amorim was asked about signing Viktor Gyokeres at Manchester United well before the summer transfer window opened up.
Ever since Ruben Amorim’s appointment as head coach in November last year, rumours quickly suggested that Viktor Gyokeres could follow him to Old Trafford.
Recent reports suggest that United have been calling Gyokeres “daily” to try and hash out a deal, but with no European football on offer and limited finances, it is proving difficult.
United are not the only side in the race for his signature either and Gyokeres prefers a move to Arsenal this summer while Juventus are also preparing a bid of their own.
If it is true that United are second choice in Gyokeres’ eyes, then Amorim must take his own advice.
Ruben Amorim knows Man United cannot be second choice
Back in May, Amorim sent a brutal message to Gyokeres suggesting that United will only sign players who are desperate to play for the club.
There were various reports that Gyokeres required Champions League football to join United this summer, but defeat in the Europa League final means no Europe for the Red Devils.
Since the defeat in Bilbao, it seems United have dropped down the priority list for Gyokeres, and as per Amorim’s own words, that means Ineos should be walking away from a deal.
Ultimately, United have many Gyokeres alternatives to consider this summer. There is no doubt the Swedish star would be a major upgrade on United’s current strikers, but Amorim and Ineos need players wholly committed to their long-term project.
Even though reports have claimed that Gyokeres is “very keen” to join United this summer, it seems a reunion with Amorim is not his priority.
Viktor Gyokeres alternative is a boyhood Man United fan
If United turn away from Gyokeres, the next striker on their list will likely be Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.
United have ‘accelerated’ talks with Ekitike over a potential move this summer, and he has one thing that Gyokeres doesn’t – a childhood love for Manchester United.
Ekitike is a boyhood United fan and would be open to making a move to Old Trafford.
Despite reports that suggest Frankfurt are demanding £85 million for Ekitike, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has exclusively told United in Focus that a cheaper deal could be on the cards.
The latest update on the Ekitike interest is that intermediaries are telling United that a deal can be done for less than his £85m price tag which will be music to the ears of Ineos.
If Gyokeres hesitates and isn’t convinced by United, then Ekitike appears to be the next best thing.
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