Ruben Amorim already dealt £58m Man Utd transfer blow in boost for Chelsea and Arsenal

Chelsea and Arsenal have been handed a fresh boost in the transfer race for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres after a week which has seen the saga twist and turn following the appointment of Ruben Amorin at Old Trafford.

The 39-year-old has replaced Erik ten Hag at the Theatre of Dreams. Manchester United were not one of the Premier League sides said to be looking at a deal for Gyokeres, who has already plundered 20 goals in all competitions this term, but that changed this week after Amorim's appointment.

Man Utd links with Viktor Gyokeres

Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claimed that the 'close sources' believed that a Red Devils move for Gyokeres 'will happen'. The same journalist has recently reported that both Arsenal and Chelsea were still in the running to complete a £58 million move for the player, facing competition from Liverpool and Manchester City.

There's a famous alchemy between Gyokeres and Amorim, with the former Coventry City man excelling under the manager in Portugal. Gyokeres signed for Sporting from Coventry City in July 2023 and the player's agent Hasan Cetinkaya has been outspoken in the fact that Amorim was the reason that deal happened. He told Portuguese outlet Record: "Everyone was waiting for Viktor to sign with a Premier League club.

“I brought Viktor to Sporting for just one reason, and this is also something I said to Mr Amorim when I saw him for the first time. I said it before I even said hello to him: 'I only brought my player here because of you'. Therefore, I only brought Gyokeres to Sporting because of Ruben Amorim.

"There were eight Premier League clubs who made concrete proposals to Coventry and me, which guaranteed more money, more commissions and a higher transfer value than Sporting. I said no to everyone and told Viktor that Sporting was our next destination."

Sporting CP star rules out Old Trafford switch

However, the latest from Portugal via outlet Record, is that Gyokeres has already ruled out a move to Manchester United. It is thought that Amorim's arrival is the only aspect of that move making it an attractive option and that the player has already decided that is enough.

The striker is still contracted at Sporting CP until 2028 but it is thought that the club will let him complete a move to the Premier League for a £58 million fee during an upcoming window. Arsenal and Chelsea are both still in the market for a bagsman and any hopes of signing the Sweden international will be boosted with Manchester United out of the race.