The future of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has been subject to intense speculation since former Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim was appointed by Manchester United.
Man Utd have struggled for goals all season under both Amorim and predecessor Erik ten Hag, and a new striker will be at the very top of the Red Devils' shopping list in the summer transfer window.
Gyokeres was in extraordinary form in Portugal when Amorim departed for Old Trafford and their names have naturally been connected with United's attack misfiring badly in a dreadful Premier League campaign.
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The former Coventry City hotshot, 26, is understood to be open to a return to England. He would be a no-brainer for Man Utd but Arsenal are also widely reported to be keen.
While a reunion with his former coach might appeal to Gyokeres, it won't be the biggest factor in any decision he has to make at the end of the 2024-25 season.
According to European transfer expert Christopher Michel, one red line in particular could leave Amorim and Man Utd with a headache as they pursue their top centre-forward target.
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"Viktor Gyokeres will be a hot topic on the transfer market this summer!" exclaims Michel on X, formerly Twitter.
"But he wants to play [in the Champions League]. Arsenal and Chelsea are very interested, [Man Utd] is also looking closely, Amorim has developed him."
With Amorim's new club languishing in the lower reaches of the Premier League, the biggest surprise is that they still have a way to meet that demand.
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"To have a realistic chance, the club probably has to win the Europa League," confirms Michel.
The Red Devils remain in Europe's secondary club competition thanks to a spectacular comeback win over Lyon in the quarter-final earlier this month.
They face another test on Thursday, visiting Bilbao to take on Athletic Club in the first leg of their semi-final tie.
If United can find a way past the Basque giants and beat either Tottenham Hotspur or Bodo/Glimt of Norway in the final next month, Gyokeres could have a decision to make.
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Either way, this is a clear case of a player holding all the cards.
Scorers come at a premium, and United and Arsenal are just two of the countless clubs who need one.
Topics: Manchester United, Man Utd, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Arsenal, Premier League, Sporting CP, Sporting Lisbon, Ruben Amorim
Chris Nee