Man Utd's new two-man striker shortlist for summer revealed with Viktor Gyokeres transfer now 'unlikely'

Manchester United have set their sights on two summer transfer targets as a deal for Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres does not look likely to happen.

Gyokeres, 26, has been one of the most clinical strikers in Europe this season, having registered 34 goals and seven assists for Sporting with many of these coming during Ruben Amorim’s time at the Lisbon side.

As a result of the Swede’s consistent impressive performances, he has attracted interest from several Premier League sides, including Arsenal and, most notably, Manchester United.

Given the relationship between Amorim, 40, and the forward, it was widely reported that his choice would be to move to United.

However, according to The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell, this may not be the case come this summer.

Gyokeres, who has a reported €100m release clause, is now “unlikely” to follow Amorim to United as he “wants to join a Champions League team”.

And if you consider United’s position in the Premier League – 13^th – qualification for Europe's premier competition looks all but impossible.

But they are already in the Europa League knockout stage and winning this year's edition would allow them to qualify for next year’s Champions League regardless of their domestic success.

Who will they try to sign instead? Well, The Athletic claim that the club have a two-man shortlist.

United have “consistently tracked” RB Leipzig’s Slovenian forward Benjamin Sesko, who has also been the subject of interest from Arsenal.

Benjamin Sesko is attracting interest from Man United (Credit:Getty)

The Red Devils even held talks regarding a potential transfer in the summer of 2022, but no such deal materialised.

Sesko, 21, is contracted to the Bundesliga side until the summer of 2029 and is valued at £41.6m, according to Transfermarkt.

Another summer signing for United could be Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, who has netted nine Premier League goals in 23 appearances this term.

Delap, 22, came through the ranks at Manchester City but could not break into the senior side, embarking on three loans – to Stoke City, Hull City and Preston North End – before penning a permanent deal at the Tractor Boys in the summer of 2024.

His current contract is set to run until the summer of June 2029 and he is valued at £20m by Transfermarkt.

• Viktor Gyokeres price tag revealed after Sporting striker 'decides' on his next club amid Premier League interest
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• Viktor Gyokeres' price tag revealed after Sporting striker 'decides next club' ahead of January transfer window