'What we want' - Sporting Lisbon send clear Viktor Gyokeres transfer message to Manchester United
Sporting Lisbon assistant boss Tiago Teixeira has insisted star striker Viktor Gyokeres is 'very happy' in the Portuguese capital amid reports linking him with a move to Manchester United.
The 26-year-old is currently the most sought after striker in Europe after making an explosive start to the season for club and country. His four-goal haul for Sweden against Azerbaijan in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday night increased his tally of goals this season to 32.
Gyokeres joined Sporting from Coventry City in July 2023 and instantly blossomed under now-United head coach Ruben Amorim. He scored 66 goals in 68 matches under the 39-year-old's stewardship.
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Ever since Amorim swapped Lisbon for Manchester earlier this month, reports connecting Gyokeres with a reunion with his former boss have soared. Many believe United would benefit from signing a striker of the Swede's profile. However, Teixeira, who is tasked with supporting Amorim's successor at Sporting, Joao Pereira, is adamant Gyokeres is not in any hurry to leave the Portuguese club.
Teixeira, speaking to the Portuguese media, said: "We are prepared to welcome him today to train for the first time [since being away on international duty] and we are very happy to have him here.
"He is also very happy with the season he is having representing Sporting and his national team. He is very happy to be here. What we want is to have him for as long as possible."
Gyokeres, who joined Sporting for a fee of around £20million, has already played down reports linking him with a move to Old Trafford.
He said: "These are rumours, nothing concrete. Of course, I want to finish the season at Sporting. I enjoy my time there. I don't feel stressed about making a change in the future. We'll see when the time comes.
"He [Amorim] probably already has strikers there. It's very sad that he left [Sporting], but of course, we understand the decision. He meant a lot to me, as he gave me an opportunity and helped me evolve a lot."
