Man Utd face battle with Premier League rival for Gyokeres but have 'advantage' in race

Manchester United are optimistic about their chances of signing Viktor Gyokeres this summer as they look to bolster their attacking options.

The 26-year-old Swedish striker has thrived under the management of Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP, and The Independent reports that United are "hopeful" of reuniting the pair at Old Trafford next season.

To secure Gyokeres, however, United may need to fend off competition from Arsenal, who are also in the market for a prolific striker.

The Gunners could even accelerate their pursuit of a forward following Gabriel Jesus’ recent ACL injury.

While Gyokeres is admired by Arsenal’s decision-makers, Sporting CP are reportedly more inclined to sell the striker at the end of the season rather than mid-campaign.

The forward is believed to have a release clause just under £100 million.

Gyokeres is said to be keen on the idea of working with Amorim again, as the Portuguese manager looks to shape a successful new chapter at Manchester United.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are also monitoring other attacking options, including RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson.

Sesko, 21, has impressed in the Bundesliga this season with eight goals, while 20-year-old Ferguson has struggled for regular starts under Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, starting just two Premier League matches so far.

Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani is expected to finalize a move to Juventus soon, potentially making Dusan Vlahovic available later in the transfer window.

While Arsenal previously showed strong interest in the Serbian forward, their focus on him has reportedly waned in recent years.

Gyokeres' form for Sporting has seen him outstrip many other strikers as a target for Europe's top clubs, with the situation potentially facilitated by the release clause under £100m.

United cannot afford that in this window without a series of sales, but Sporting would also prefer to keep the forward for a full season, having already lost their star manager Amorim to Old Trafford.