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Gyokeres may not be joining Man United as the club opened ‘direct talks’ with another striker

Originally posted on HITC | By Adnan Riaz | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 4:35 PM ET

Manchester United have reportedly held talks with a Serbian forward as they prioritise a new striker signing, with Viktor Gyokeres negotiations stalling again.

Gyokeres has long been a target for United after a prolific year at Sporting CP under Ruben Amorim, but his future is far from settled this summer.

After a stellar season at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, the Swedish striker has drawn interest from multiple Premier League clubs, with Arsenal also keeping tabs on him.

While Gyokeres is understood to be open to a move this summer, Sporting are reportedly taking a tough stance in negotiations.

Despite a widely reported £59m figure being agreed between Sporting and Gyokeres’s camp a year ago, the club are now said to be holding out for the player’s full £85m release clause, a position president Frederico Varandas has reaffirmed in recent weeks.

United step up interest in Dusan Vlahovic as summer price emerges

Photo by Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images

According to Football Transfers, United have now stepped up their pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic, with ‘direct talks’ already held between the club and the Juventus forward’s representatives.

The 25-year-old – who’ll be out of contract with Juventus next summer – is said to be open to a Premier League move, viewing it as a ‘dream destination.’

Vlahovic has been on United’s radar for several months, and fresh contact has reportedly been ‘positive and constructive’ for all parties involved.

The Serbia international – who scored 15 goals with five assists in 41 games for Juve last season – could be available for about €45m (£38m) this summer, per the same report.

Vlahovic ‘motivated’ by Ruben Amorim project at United

Football Transfers adds that Vlahovic is a fan of Ruben Amorim’s track record developing young players and likes the vision the new United boss is bringing to Old Trafford.

The 25-year-old is said to be ‘motivated by the idea’ of working under Amorim, who has championed a more dynamic and physically demanding style of play, something that reportedly appeals to the Serbian forward as he looks for a new challenge.

Juventus are open to a sale, with reports in Italy suggesting the club want to reduce their wage bill and reinvest elsewhere this summer.

United, meanwhile, are moving quickly behind the scenes to ensure they don’t miss out on another top striker option, with Vlahovic now seen as one of the most realistic alternatives to Gyokeres.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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