In December, Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim could be standing across each other on the sidelines as Manchester City and Manchester United go head-to-head at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City’s interest in appointing Amorim was reported to be mere paper talk as he nears a move to become Erik ten Hag’s replacement at Old Trafford.
Pep Guardiola rates Ruben Amorim highly as the battle between the two different generations of managers would be fascinating to witness in the Premier League.
A claim emerged on Monday that Manchester United’s ploy to persuade Amorim into joining the club was to assure him that Manchester City would no longer be the same force if Guardiola left in 2025.
In October, it was claimed that Manchester City’s belief about Guardiola’s future is that he is likely to extend his contract until 2026.
As a result, Ruben Amorim could spend a significant period of time managing in the same division as the Catalan tactician.
- READ MORE: Ruben Amorim told to consult Pep Guardiola about Man United job by Premier League manager
Man City “specifically interested” in Viktor Gyokeres who is Hugo Viana’s Haaland heir
Last Wednesday, it was claimed sporting director Txiki Begiristain’s successor Hugo Viana had identified Viktor Gyokeres as the ideal striker to replace Erling Haaland, who is speculated to be dreaming of a mega-transfer to Real Madrid in the near future.
Furthermore, the report stated that Viana was keen to build his project at the Etihad Stadium around the Swedish goalscorer and his made the 26-year-old’s capture a “priority.”
On Tuesday, journalist Florian Plettenburg claimed that there is an agreement between Gyokeres and Sporting that he will be allowed to leave the club in the summer — with Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea claimed to be “specifically interested” in signing him.
The Portuguese giants are willing to let the former Coventry City marksman leave for a fee in the region of €60 million (£49.8 million) and €70 million (£58 million) despite his release clause being worth £83 million.
The in-form finisher is not expected to depart Lisbon in January, however.
Ruben Amorim could lure Gyokeres to Manchester United over Man City
However, with Ruben Amorim set to join Manchester United, he could well tempt Gyokeres into heading to Old Trafford sooner rather than later.
In September, it was claimed Haaland’s contract extension is close to being agreed until 2029 but so far, he is yet to sign on the dotted line.
If the aforementioned rumour about the Norwegian being attracted by a move to Real Madrid is true, Hugo Viana’s reported dream of getting a deal done for Gyokeres could be in disarray.
| SEASON | HAALAND’S GOALS IN ALL COMPS | GYOKERES’ GOALS IN ALL COMPS |
| 2022/2023 | 52 | 22 |
| 2023/2024 | 38 | 42 |
| 2024/2025 | 14 | 14 |
Furthermore, Gyokeres, who seems to be open to a move would be attracted by the prospect of working with Amorim at a club of Manchester United’s stature.
Since joining Sporting last year, the pair have proven to be an incredible duo, with the striking sensation establishing his presence as one of Europe’s most lethal goalscorers.
No wonder Gyokeres’ name has been linked to a whole host of top clubs in need of a man to lead the line.
The number nine position is a problem area in the Red Devils’ squad in any case due to Joshua Zirkzee’s slow start to life in the Premier League and Rasmus Hojlund still finding his feet.
As a result, Hugo Viana may well have to drum up a shortlist of alternatives in the event that Haaland signs for Real Madrid as Gyokeres could well be tempted a move to Manchester City’s local rivals.
