Ruben Amorim addresses Viktor Gyokeres release clause after fresh Liverpool transfer speculation

Ruben Amorim has had his say on Viktor Gyokeres’s future amid more reports linking him with a move to Liverpool.

The Sporting CP striker enjoyed a phenomenal first year in Portugal after making the move from Coventry City, scoring 43 goals in 50 appearances as the Lisbon club won the Primeira Liga title. He’s continued that spectacular form this campaign as well, scoring 16 goals in 15 appearances across all competitions so far.

That sensational record has inevitably led to links with the Premier League, with Liverpool being regularly linked over the past year or so. The latest claim from Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg suggests the Reds are among four sides eyeing up a move next summer, alongside Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea.

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What’s more, it’s said that there is an ‘agreement’ in place that he can leave for €60-70m [$65m/£50m - $76m/£58m], despite having a release clause of €100m [$108m/£83m].

Of course, there is another factor that could play a part in his future. With Amorim looking poised to become Manchester United’s new manager after Erik ten Hag’s sacking, Old Trafford will no doubt also be touted as a possible destination.

Amorim, who is said to have agreed a move to United in principle, has now broken his silence on that release clause. The current Sporting boss has insisted no clubs matched Gyokeres’ valuation during the summer.

“Firstly, no player was offered the clause. And that doesn't change. There is no more stability than that,” Amorim said.

“It's easy to say, only someone leaves here because of the clause. Secondly, it wasn't Viktor who said that. It was Viktor's agent. They are different people. I'm not going to talk about the decision or lack of decision. I'll explain everything.”

It does seem though that, with Amorim expected to take over at Old Trafford, United may well enter the conversation for Gyokeres. The Swedish international’s agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, has previously insisted he took his client to Sporting purely because of Amorim, despite interest from the Premier League.

"Everyone was waiting for Viktor to sign with a Premier League club," he told Portuguese publication Record. "I brought Viktor to Sporting for just one reason, and this is also something I said to Mr Amorim when I saw him for the first time.

“I said it before I even said hello to him: 'I only brought my player here because of you'. Therefore, I only brought Gyokeres to Sporting because of Ruben Amorim.

"There were eight Premier League clubs who made concrete proposals to Coventry and me, which guaranteed more money, more commissions and a higher transfer value than Sporting. I said no to everyone and told Viktor that Sporting was our next destination.”

Liverpool.com says: Gyokeres will surely get a big move in the next year or two. Whether Liverpool is in the running for his signature will likely depend on how Darwin Nunez performs this season.

Obviously, Amorim going to United might well sway Gyokeres in the direction of Old Trafford. Considering how signing Ten Hag's former players went for them though, perhaps United might think twice about the prospect.