Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres expresses disappointment over Ruben Amorim leaving Sporting for Manchester United

Sporting manager Amorim, 39, widely acclaimed as one of the top young coaches in European football, has taken the lead as the top contender for the open Manchester United position after Erik ten Hag's departure on Monday.

Widespread reports indicate that United have agreed to pay Amorim’s £8.3million release clause in full and the two clubs are now understood to have struck a deal for the highly rated Portuguese – with official confirmation expected over the coming days.

Amorim has remained coy over his future when facing the media and insisted nothing had been ‘decided’ in the wake of Sporting’s 3-1 defeat of Nacional on Tuesday evening.

However, Amorim did concede that his possible departure would ‘undoubtedly’ upset members of Sporting’s squad, as was the case when he left Braga back in 2020.

‘I don’t get involved in the players’ lives but I am the coach and I spoke to the board to understand how to manage the squad,’ he told reporters.

‘My players will undoubtedly be disappointed with me if I leave, but that’s part of life.

‘That happened at Braga when I came to Sporting. That happened a bit because they were disappointed.’

According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Amorim has been proven correct, with several players ‘questioning’ their manager’s decision during an awkward meeting at the club’s training complex in Alcochete this week.

It’s claimed the timing of Amorim’s decision, just two months into the new season, has not gone well in the slightest, leaving Sporting’s stars annoyed and frustrated.

The report adds that key men Gyokeres and Morten Hjulmand are especially peeved having rejected big-money moves in the summer in order to see through Amorim’s project in Lisbon.

Arsenal were credited with a strong interest in Gyokeres throughout the transfer window and continue to be linked with the Sweden forward ahead of a potential bid this winter.

Back in April, Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, admitted the prolific attacker would find it difficult to stay with Sporting should Amorim move on from the Primeira Liga outfit.

‘Yes, it will be more difficult for Viktor to stay if Rúben Amorim leaves Sporting,’ Cetinkaya told A Bola.

‘Viktor to Sporting came precisely because of Ruben. The day we met, I said to Ruben: “Here’s my boy, he came to Sporting because of you”.

‘Of course, it’s an honour for any player to be able to play in the Champions League. Viktor is no exception in that respect, but there are other important things and Ruben Amorim is one of them. If he leaves, it will be more difficult for Viktor to continue.’

Speaking after Sporting’s victory over Nacional, Gyokeres – who scored a brace in the match – told Portuguese media that he was in the dark over Amorim’s future.

‘He is here and that’s what I’m focused on, we’ll see what happens,’ he said.

‘I’m not going to wear myself out. It’s not something I know about, it’s not about me.’

Gyokeres played an integral role last as Sporting stormed to the 2023/24 Portuguese league title with a ten-point gap between themselves and second-placed Benfica – the defending champions.

The Sweden international racked up 43 goals in all competitions across a remarkable season and has picked up where he left off this term, netting 16 times in 15 appearances.

This January, Gyokeres is reportedly available for a fee of between €60m (£49.9m) and €70m (£58.20m).

The former Coventry striker is tied into a contract at Sporting until 2028.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.