Manchester United receive significant boost as Deco rules FC Barcelona out of Viktor Gyokeres chase | OneFootball

Manchester United have received a significant boost in their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres as FC Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has ruled out a move for the striker.

The Red Devils have struggled for goals in the Premier League all season, and it is one of the most pressing issues that new head coach Ruben Amorim must rectify.

Naturally, there have been significant links to Amorim’s former number nine at Sporting Lisbon who has taken Europe by storm, scoring 23 goals already this season.

The Swede has attracted major interest from numerous clubs around the continent as Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have been credited with an interest in the red-hot striker.

Sporting Lisbon’s stance that they are likely to accept €20 million lower than his release clause has only added more fuel to the fire that the Swede will depart the Portuguese capital next summer.

Another major advantage for United has emerged as Barcelona’s sporting director has told Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo that the Spanish giants will not be making a move for the lethal forward.

Deco praised the striker by stating, “He is a good player, he has been scoring goals for a long time in Portugal.”

Despite the admission that the club have the forward on their radar, he asserted that they would not be making any move for him any time soon.

“We know him like others but he’s not our priority at the moment.”

Deco elaborated, “We’re not looking for a number nine to replace Robert [Lewandowski] because we want him to remain happy, scoring goals and at least stay for another season.

“We’ve won things, and he’s happy to be here. We’re not going to talk about any player now.”

Whilst Barcelona removing themself from the picture does not mean United have a free run at the player, it is certainly a massive boost.

Real Madrid are unlikely to pursue the player due to last summer’s signing of Kylian Mbappe and the appeal of reuniting with Amorim at Old Trafford must make United one of the favourites for Gyokeres next summer.