Manchester City ‘intensify their efforts’ for 26-year-old Sporting forward – Director of Football ‘pushing hard’ | OneFootball

Premier League champions Manchester City are seemingly eyeing further striking reinforcements to join Erling Haaland at the club, according to new reports.

The latest rumours tie Manchester City’s officials with attacking moves, despite the most-part of recent reports suggesting that the centre of Pep Guardiola’s midfield would be of most importance to club bosses.

In the upcoming January transfer window, there is a widespread understanding that Manchester City will explore the market for defensive midfield reinforcements, particularly given the ongoing absence of Rodri from the squad.

However, at present it remains unknown as to whether officials from within the Etihad Stadium have sourced any options that could become available for the right price, despite the timing within the middle of a domestic season.

But away from the midfield focus, one new report has suggested that Manchester City and their incoming sporting director, Hugo Viana could join one of the hottest pursuits in European football next summer.

That is according to the information of Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, who reports that Manchester City have ‘intensified their efforts’ in recent days regarding Sporting CP and Sweden international striker, Viktor Gyökeres.

It is further pointed out, and rather strangely given the circumstances, that incoming Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana – who remains at Sporting until next summer – is currently ‘pushing hard’ in the pursuit of the 26-year-old.

City will of course not be alone in any interest, with Plettenberg also reporting that Manchester United have also made ‘initial concrete talks’ regarding Gyökeres and a potential move in the summer of 2025, but any deal for the Old Trafford club will first require sales.

Several elements of the report remain confusing however, particularly the fact that Hugo Viana is not expected to join Manchester City until next summer, despite remaining in constant contact with Txiki Begiristain during a transitional period in 2025.

As such, it would be strange for the Portuguese official to be ‘pushing hard’ for a deal that he is presumably handling at present alongside his existing group of Sporting CP boardroom colleagues.

Furthermore, any move for Gyökeres at Manchester City would likely mean that there is uncertainty over Erling Haaland’s future, as the Sweden international would not accept a place as a back-up striker given his status in European football at present.

But for the time being, there is nothing to suggest that Manchester City are concerned about the future of Erling Haaland, and the club are continuing to pursue a new and improved contract with the Norwegian over the coming weeks and months.