Victor Gyökeres is open to a move to Manchester United even without Champions League football, talkSPORT understands.

The Sporting striker is still on United’s radar, although any potential transfer hinges on player departures, and official negotiations with Sporting have not been initiated yet.

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Nonetheless, United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim, is eager for a reunion with his former athlete and has maintained communication with him since his own move to Old Trafford.

Sporting want around £60million (€70m) for Gyökeres. This is a £25m reduction from his £85m release clause.

Gyökeres has an agreement with Sporting that permits him to exit for a reduced fee after agreeing to remain for the 2024/25 season, during which he netted 54 goals in 52 matches and secured the Primeira Liga championship.

Should United formalise their interest, they could face competition from Arsenal, who are currently determining whether to bid for the Sweden international or Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Gyökeres is also one name under consideration at Chelsea, who want to add more firepower due to the expected departure of Christopher Nkunku.

Liverpool and Juventus have also been linked, while talkSPORT understands two Saudi clubs, Al-Qadsiah and new Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad, are interested.

It is not thought Gyökeres wishes to leave Europe, especially a year before the 2026 World Cup.

And a new Gyökeres suitor could also be Champions League winners PSG, who have decided to add another striker due to the expected exits of Marco Asensio and Randal Kolo Muani this summer.

United have also considered Al-Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrović as a short-term solution, but at this stage no approach has been made.

Al-Hilal met with Mitrovic’s representatives in Paris on Wednesday to discuss a potential exit, but the former Fulham’s striker’s £12m-net wage could prove a stumbling block to any departure.

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Hilal would prefer to sell Mitrovic as they push to bring in Victor Osimhen ahead of the Club World Cup. talkSPORT can reveal Osimhen has a €30m per-season offer and until Friday to decide.

Manchester United’s striker top priority heading into this summer was Liam Delap, but the 22-year-old decided to join Chelsea, who can offer him Champions League football next season.

United were optimistic on landing Delap, and prepared to pay his £30m release clause, had they won the Europa League Final, but always knew the then Ipswich striker wants to play European football next season to boost his England chances, and that Chelsea’s pitch was also strong.

Along with planning for a new number nine, which isn’t guaranteed to happen before July, United have now turned their attention to Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo having already secured Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a deal worth £62.5m.

United’s opening offer for Mbeumo was £45m plus £10m in add-ons and falls below Brentford’s valuation, but talks continue and a second bid is now expected.

Brentford are pointing to the Cunha fee as a yardstick for valuation.

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Ruben Amorim wants fast and versatile attackers capable of playing centrally and out wide, allowing him to be more flexible with his system.

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is another name under consideration, while Southampton’s Tyler Dibling remains appreciated, and player Jason Wilcox knows well, even though Spurs appear the most concrete suitor at this early stage of the summer.

A reunion between Amorim and Gyokeres could spell danger for Premier League backlines.

The Swede scored a staggering 66 goals in 68 games under Amorim at Sporting, including an impressive haul of 43 goals in the 2023/24 campaign.

However, when asked shortly after he became United boss whether Gyokeres could join him, Amorim refused to entertain any rumours.

“No, no, no, no,” Amorim told TNT Sports.

“I cannot be funny with that in this moment.

“It is stuff for me to leave if I’m joking about Gyokeres, I will have problems.

“This is my city, this is my country, so I will respect.

“Viktor has to stay until the end of the season and then it’s his life is, maybe, going to someone else.”