Manchester United transfer 'target' Viktor Gyokeres will miss Sweden's June internationals against Hungary and Algeria
Viktor Gyokeres, who has been linked with a summer transfer to Manchester United, has pulled out of Sweden's upcoming international fixtures against Hungary and Algeria.
Having last played on Sunday, May 25 in a gruelling league and cup double-winning campaign with Sporting CP, Gyokeres has suffered a minor injury that he needs to rehabilitate, and in consultation with Sweden's medical team it has been announced he will not play, the team's press officer Petra Thoren has confirmed.
Both matches against Hungary (Friday, June 6) and Algeria (Tuesday, June 10) are scheduled friendlies, so naturally the striker will be taking care with his health amidst the possibility of a summer transfer, perhaps to the Premier League.
A huge part of United's summer transfer strategy is to sign a striker. Ipswich Town's Liam Delap had been their top target, though the 22-year-old is now on the verge of signing for Chelsea with his £30m release clause paid and formalities underway.
So it is back to other targets for Old Trafford chiefs. Gyokeres has been linked for several months and his relationship with Ruben Amorim is already strong as they previously shared over one year together at Sporting.
Albeit costlier than Delap, as he is believed to have a £67m asking price, the 26-year-old's eye for goal is undeniable with 97 goals in 102 appearances whilst in Portugal.
United are hampered by a lack of Champions League football next term and the financial rewards that brings, to split the budget wisely. £62.5m has already been committed to the acquisition of No.10 Matheus Cunha, who will sign a five-year deal upon arrival from Wolves, and £50m-rated Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo is being targeted.
In any bid to reunite Amorim with his former Swedish striker, it would appear competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal will be strong.
The Manchester Evening News' sister site football.london understands he is being considered by those at the Emirates Stadium alongside RB Leipzig attacker Benjamin Sesko.
As a potential boost, however, Gyokeres' agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, has outlined that it was the chance to work under Amorim that helped the decision to move to Portugal over any Premier League side in 2023.
"Everyone was waiting for Viktor to sign with a Premier League club," he said. "And the answer to that question is that 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, and 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."
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