Manchester United’s summer rebuild under Ruben Amorim has already produced headline signings, yet an unintended ripple effect may have cost the club a crack at landing prolific striker Viktor Gyokeres. With Bryan Mbeumo arriving from Brentford in a deal that could rise to £71m and Matheus Cunha also secured, United have spent big while still lacking a nailed-on starting No.9.
Reports in Portugal suggest relationships matter here. Gyokeres shares representation with fellow Swede Victor Lindelof, who was allowed to run down his contract and leave Old Trafford on a free. That decision is understood to have frustrated the camp handling both players, and it may have cooled enthusiasm for entering fresh negotiations with United at a time when other elite suitors were circling.
Arsenal are believed to be pushing hardest, and external backing including vocal support from influential figures in East Africa – has added momentum to their pursuit. For Gyokeres, a move into a side already competing at the top end of the Premier League and in Europe could prove more attractive than joining a United project that still looks mid-rebuild.
Finances further complicate United’s position. Combined outlay on Mbeumo and Cunha already exceeds £130m, forcing renewed attention on sales to balance spending and free up wages. Marcus Rashford has agreed a season-long loan to Barcelona with his salary covered, while other high earners such as Antony and Alejandro Garnacho have been linked with exits as the club trims the bill.
Those departures reduce costs but risk stripping proven quality. United’s recruitment lens appears to favour Premier League-proven profiles who can contribute immediately, yet missing on Gyokeres would leave Amorim leaning heavily on Rasmus Hojlund rediscovering form or on alternative targets. Names floated include goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and forward Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa as part of a broader reshaping.
After finishing 15th last season and missing out on European competition, sweeping change was inevitable. The question is whether the collateral damage including strained agent relations after Lindelof’s exit will deny Amorim a striker he knows well. If Gyokeres ultimately chooses Arsenal, Manchester United may look back on a contractual call that carried hidden transfer costs.
For now, United insist the window remains open and contingency lists are long, but timing tightens each week. Restoring trust with key intermediaries could prove as crucial as transfer fees in determining whether Amorim lands his ideal attacking blueprint. Successfully.
