
Man Utd push to sign Liverpool and Chelsea targets after Gyokeres picks Arsenal
Manchester United are ready to turn to two strikers after being rejected by their No. 1 transfer target Viktor Gyokeres.
Gyokeres emerged as Ruben Amorim's first-choice target but has reportedly told the Red Devils he will not be heading to Old Trafford this summer.
Portuguese outlet Record claim Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 appearances last season, has instead decided he wants to move to Arsenal.
The Gunners have also been heavily linked with Gyokeres as they look to add some much-needed firepower to Mikel Arteta's squad.
Arsenal have repeatedly challenged for the Premier League title under Arteta and reached the Champions League semi-finals last season before being beaten by eventual winners PSG.
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
Manchester United, in stark contract, finished just 15th last season, failing to qualify for any European competition next season.
With Arsenal in pole position to sign Gyokeres, 27, Amorim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have been forced to consider alternative targets for the No. 9 position.
According to the Daily Mirror, United have 'already started' looking at other options and are ready to ramp up their interest in Hugo Ekitike.
Ekitike, 22, just enjoyed a breakout season for Eintracht Frankfurt, attracting interest from United's Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea.
The issue for all potential Ekitike suitors is his steep asking price, with Frankfurt asking for around £84m for a player yet to earn a cap for France.
The Premier League clubs are hoping Frankfurt will lower their asking price for Ekitike.
However, the German club appear ready to stand firm on that valuation, with sporting director Markus Krosche insisting they do not have to sell Ekitike this summer.
'If the price isn't right, then he'll just stay with us,' he told Wiesbadener Kurier last week. 'We don't have to sell Hugo.'
Another option for Manchester United, according to The Sun, is Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen, 26, is set to be sold by Napoli after spending last season on loan at Turkish champions Galatasaray.
The Nigerian, who almost joined Chelsea last summer, has rejected a move to Saudi Arabia as he wants to continue playing at the top level in Europe. More Trending
United are known admirers of Osimhen and are reportedly open to using Joshua Zirkzee in a deal to bring him to Manchester.
Before Gyokeres informed Manchester United that he favoured a move to Arsenal, Alan Shearer backed the Red Devils to secure his signature.
'On Viktor Gyokeres, I'm not surprised at all if they get him because of his work with Sporting and Ruben Amorim before, I think that was always going to be the case,' the ex-England striker told Betfair.
While searching for a new striker, Manchester United are also looking to wrap up a deal for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo amid competition from Thomas Frank's Tottenham.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Tottenham transfers: Spurs plotting to hijack Manchester United's bid for Bryan Mbeumo and chasing fellow Bees star Yoane Wissa
MORE: Edwin van der Sar tells Ruben Amorim to give under-fire Man Utd duo another chance
MORE: Why are Liverpool not in the Club World Cup and Chelsea are?
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Florian Wirtz announcement imminent as next Liverpool signing eyed
Florian Wirtz's £116m move to Liverpool will be made official this week as attention turns to move for Bournemouth's Hungarian left back Milos Kerkez The transfer window has reopened and that means Liverpool are closer to confirming the potential British record signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. Germany star Wirtz has agreed personal terms after the clubs shook hands on a £116m deal that includes £100m upfront with the 22-year-old's switch will be made official at some point this week. And while lots of attention shifts to the controversial Club World Cup, with Chelsea and Manchester City the Premier League 's two representatives, Liverpool 's recruitment is also making noises across the United States. Here are the big stories to keep an eye on from in and around Anfield as the transfer window nudges back open. Bayern bemused Wirtz had briefly been tipped to join Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and after they lost Leroy Sane, to Galatasaray, and veteran Thomas Muller, at the end of his contract, there is bafflement that Vincent Kompany's squad has been left so short of attacking options. And Joshua Kimmich has added to that when he was asked about Wirtz heading to Anfield before Bayern got their Club World Cup campaign underway against Auckland City on Sunday evening. "You'll have to ask the club what their plans are," he said. "Of course, you have the feeling that we could do something – with Flo (Wirtz) not coming, with Leroy leaving, with Thomas leaving. 'I was surprised that (Sane) is going to Turkey. I didn't expect that. But it's his decision and he'll have his reasons for it.' Kerkez deal Once the Wirtz deal is confirmed, Milos Kerkez is expected to seal a move from Bournemouth to Merseyside - placing Andrew Robertson's future in doubt amid interest from Atletico Madrid. But Kerkez's Hungary team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai has been tight-lipped when asked about it in an interview with Nemzeti Sport. 'I don't know about now,' the midfielder said. Robertson, meanwhile, insists he is happy and fighting fit - despite a season where he found it hard work to hit top form. Window reopens Since midnight the window has been nudged back open following a six-day hiatus as a consequence of the Club World Cup. It will now run for a dozen weeks to September 1 - and did you know that the window slams shut on deadline day at the earlier time of 5pm to ensure club staff and agents can get to bed at a reasonable hour? Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.


Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres' Arsenal 'threat' amid Sporting chief's 'blackmail' claim
Conflicting reports around Arsenal's pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres suggest the Gunners may start looking elsewhere with Portuguese media reporting that Sporting Lisbon want more money The transfer window reopens this morning and will run for 12 weeks through to its September 1 deadline. And whether Mikel Arteta finally adds the centre forward his squad so badly desires remains to be seen. Viktor Gyokeres appears to remain the Gunners' top target but the messages are mixed, while Benjamin Sesko remains a name featuring prominently on the rumour mills. Aside from that Arsenal are looking towards sealing their deal for Martin Zubimendi, despite recent attempts from Real Madrid to hijack the deal, according to Spanish media. Here are the stories to keep an eye on from in and around the Emirates - even if attention has shifted to the Club World Cup. Gyokeres confusion Various reports at the weekend went hard on suggesting that the Sweden international would reject any offers from Manchester United, pointing to Arsenal being the favourites to land him. But Record, the reputable Portuguese outlet, said on Sunday that Arsenal have submitted a bid that was furiously rejected by Sporting. Arsenal are said to have proposed a total package worth around €70m (£60m), but Sporting want the player's £85m release clause to be met. "Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me," Sporting president Frederico Varandas said. And that, apparently, has seen Arsenal start looking elsewhere for an alternative striker to arrive with Ollie Watkins mentioned in dispatches. Zubimendi latest The situation surrounding Real Sociedad's Zubimendi also appears clear as mud thanks to conflicting reports. The week before last it looked like a done deal. Then Real Madrid got their media machinery moving, indicating they could end up hijacking the move. But now it looks like the La Liga giants are out of the running and that ensures a clear road for Arsenal to bring one of the most coveted midfielders around on board ahead of next season. Window reopens Since midnight the window has been nudged back open following a six-day hiatus as a consequence of the Club World Cup. It will now run for a dozen weeks to September 1 - and did you know that the window Slams Shut on deadline day at the earlier time of 5pm to ensure club staff and agents can get to bed at a reasonable hour? Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.


The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Liam Delap backed to break curse of the Chelsea No 9 shirt and earn England spot
Enzo Maresca has backed Liam Delap to handle the pressure of leading the line for Chelsea and is adamant that the striker will become England's next No 9. Delap is eager to make a strong first impression following his £30m move from Ipswich Town and will hope to make his Chelsea debut when the Premier League side open their Club World Cup campaign by facing Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC in Atlanta on Monday. The 22-year-old, who was unable to keep Ipswich in the top flight despite scoring 12 goals last season, is competing with Nicolas Jackson for a starting spot in attack and does not seem overawed by his new surroundings. It is encouraging that Delap has paid little attention to claims of a curse befalling Chelsea's No 9 shirt, which has been vacant since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club two years ago. The England Under-21 international has jumped at the chance to make the shirt his own, even though Romelu Lukaku and Fernando Torres are examples of expensive No 9s who flopped at Chelsea. Delap is keen to make his mark and add more ruthlessness to an attack that has suffered from wasteful finishing in recent years. 'Liam knows quite well how important the number nine is for this club,' Maresca said. 'I don't see any problem. I see Liam quite relaxed, easy, he's doing well, since he arrived he's working well. We know each other already from years ago, so I know what Liam can give us. He knows what we can give to him to improve and to become a better player. In terms of No 9, hopefully he can score goals for us.' Maresca coached Delap when he was part of Manchester City's academy. That connection proved handy when it came to convincing Delap to sign a six-year deal with Chelsea and snub offers from Manchester United, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. However Maresca has not decided if the former Ipswich forward is above Jackson in the pecking order. 'The message is always the same – you arrive, you work hard, you work more than the other No 9,' the Italian said. 'The conversation with Liam has been quite clear. He was keen to join us because he knows the way we play. We won for the first time for City the Under-23 competition – he scored 24, 25 goals that season. 'He knows exactly what we can give him, to him and I know what Liam can give us. The conversation was quite easy. We like Liam, Liam like us. I don't have any doubt that he can be in the future England No 9.' Maresca said that Chelsea intend to sign another winger after sending Jadon Sancho back to Manchester United. The west Londoners are interested in Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Chelsea have added Delap, Andrey Santos, Mamadou Sarr, Mike Penders and Dario Essugo to their squad since qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Uefa Conference League last month. They have been busy in the transfer market but Maresca refused to reveal whether they will revive a move for the Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The attempt to sign Maignan has caused uncertainty over Chelsea's goalkeeping situation. There have been indications that the club will listen to suitable offers for Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen. Djordje Petrovic has asked to be omitted for the squad and is likely to leave after impressing on loan at Strasbourg. However, Maresca insisted that Sanchez remains first choice. 'The situation about the keepers is quite easy,' he said. 'Robert is the number one. Then we have Filip, the number two. Penders joined us. We're going to see in the next weeks. We have time to analyse and to judge him.'