Second major club drops out of race to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting and it means only two remain

A second major club has dropped out of the race to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, one of the leading goalscorers in world football.

Gyokeres has developed into one of the most sought-after strikers in the game, scoring an incredible 66 goals in 67 games for Sporting after joining from Coventry City in 2023.

He caught the eye again on Tuesday night, scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 Champions League hammering of Manchester City in Ruben Amorim's final home game before joining up with Manchester United.

The Sweden international appears to be the next top striker target for a number of clubs but the demand for his signature is not as strong as perhaps you would think, it appears.

On Thursday it was reported that Paris Saint-Germain had pulled out of the race for Gyokeres. Le Parisien said that although the club made enquiries in the summer after his impressive 43-goal campaign, they cannot justify paying what would be a huge transfer fee for his services.

Links to United have only increased with the news that Amorim is taking the reins next week but an update from The Mirror states that the 39-year-old has a gentlemen's agreement not to raid Sporting for their top talent.

Speaking last week, the former Braga boss said: "Gyokeres costs £100 million. It's very complicated. I will not take any of Sporting's players in January. But that's another story."

Victor Gyokeres is one of the most in-demand strikers in the world. Image: Getty

Arsenal and City, who have Erling Haaland leading the line but have taken Sporting's director of football Hugo Viana, are believed to be the two clubs left with interest in Gyokeres.

Former Brighton and Swansea man Gyokeres is reported to have an £85 million release clause in his deal, which runs until 2028. But it is claimed that Sporting will allow him to leave for pastures new in the summer window, with Amorim predicting that he "will probably go somewhere else" after this season.