Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United are ready to turn to two strikers after being rejected by their No. 1 transfer target Viktor Gyokeres.
Gyokeres emerged as Ruben Amorim’s first-choice target but has reportedly told the Red Devils he will not be heading to Old Trafford this summer.
Portuguese outlet Record claim Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 appearances last season, has instead decided he wants to move to Arsenal.
The Gunners have also been heavily linked with Gyokeres as they look to add some much-needed firepower to Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Arsenal have repeatedly challenged for the Premier League title under Arteta and reached the Champions League semi-finals last season before being beaten by eventual winners PSG.
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Manchester United, in stark contract, finished just 15th last season, failing to qualify for any European competition next season.
With Arsenal in pole position to sign Gyokeres, 27, Amorim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have been forced to consider alternative targets for the No. 9 position.
Viktor Gyokeres favours Arsenal over Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
According to the Daily Mirror, United have ‘already started’ looking at other options and are ready to ramp up their interest in Hugo Ekitike.
Ekitike, 22, just enjoyed a breakout season for Eintracht Frankfurt, attracting interest from United’s Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea.
The issue for all potential Ekitike suitors is his steep asking price, with Frankfurt asking for around £84m for a player yet to earn a cap for France.
Hugo Ekitike enjoyed a fine season for Eintracht Frankfurt (Picture: Getty)
The Premier League clubs are hoping Frankfurt will lower their asking price for Ekitike.
However, the German club appear ready to stand firm on that valuation, with sporting director Markus Krosche insisting they do not have to sell Ekitike this summer.
‘If the price isn’t right, then he’ll just stay with us,’ he told Wiesbadener Kurier last week. ‘We don’t have to sell Hugo.’
Another option for Manchester United, according to The Sun, is Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen, 26, is set to be sold by Napoli after spending last season on loan at Turkish champions Galatasaray.
The Nigerian, who almost joined Chelsea last summer, has rejected a move to Saudi Arabia as he wants to continue playing at the top level in Europe.
United are known admirers of Osimhen and are reportedly open to using Joshua Zirkzee in a deal to bring him to Manchester.
Before Gyokeres informed Manchester United that he favoured a move to Arsenal, Alan Shearer backed the Red Devils to secure his signature.
‘On Viktor Gyokeres, I’m not surprised at all if they get him because of his work with Sporting and Ruben Amorim before, I think that was always going to be the case,’ the ex-England striker told Betfair.
While searching for a new striker, Manchester United are also looking to wrap up a deal for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo amid competition from Thomas Frank’s Tottenham.
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