Credit: Imago/Hasan Karim - Breaking Media

Sources: Man United forced into striker U-turn after deal agreed

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

Published on:

09 Jul 2025, 1:30 am

Manchester United have been forced to rethink their pursuit of a centre-forward after missing out on Viktor Gyokeres, sources have told Football Insider.

Gyokeres, 27, was one of Ruben Amorim's main targets this summer, but the Swedish international looks set to join Arsenal instead with a full agreement now in place.

Sources say that the Red Devils are still desperate to sign a striker before the window closes but due to financial issues, they need to offload players before bringing anyone in.

Amorim is expected to step up efforts to add a number nine to his squad after departures have been confirmed.

Gyokeres is set to move to Arsenal (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Man United to pursue other targets

Man United are desperate to sell the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Jadon Sancho so that they have the funds to compete in a crowded transfer market.

Rashford has been linked with Barcelona, but the Spanish giants would struggle to afford a permanent deal, and it would most likely be a loan move if it were to happen.

If Amorim's side do manage to get players out the door at Old Trafford, then they will have to move down their list of striker targets after Gyokeres was snapped up.

United have shown interest in Ollie Watkins, but Aston Villa are unlikely to give up their star forward easily and it could require a big fee to get the move done.

Man United are desperate to offload Rashford (Photo Credit: Imago)

Man United face sponsor issue

Meanwhile, Manchester United are facing sponsorship issues following the launch of their new training kit, sources have told Football Insider.

The Premier League side agreed a multi-year deal for their training kit with Tezos in 2022, with the deal believed to be worth around £20million a year.

However, the agreement with the blockchain platform expired at the end of June, leaving Man United without a sponsor for the 2025-26 season.

The Manchester giants launched their training kit on Tuesday (1 July) without a new sponsor, creating a significant hole in their accounts for the upcoming campaign.

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Manchester United

Viktor Gyokeres