‘ON ONE requirement’: Victor Gyokeres finally reveals the single requirement that will make him join Arsenal by January.
Manchester City are allegedly planning to replace departed director of football Txiki Begiristain with the man who bought Arsenal-linked Viktor Gyokeres for Portuguese club Sporting CP.
Begiristain, 60, is set to depart City at the conclusion of the season, although a replacement will reportedly begin work early next year as part of a six-month transition phase. According to rumors, an agreement appears to have already been reached with his heir, who is well-known in European football.
Hugo Viana fits the requirements, and Fabrizio Romano thinks the Sporting director of football is City’s preferred option to succeed Begiristain in the top position. Because of his previous working connection with Gyokeres, that possible job might be terrible news for Arsenal and any chances of signing him over the following transfer windows.
Viana has spent the previous six years with Sporting, and he flew to England last year as part of the Lisbon club’s efforts to recruit Gyokeres from Championship team Coventry City. Following the striker’s first season in Portugal, the director stated this summer that “we are happy with him” following a “excellent” first season.
However, he also stated that “football is dynamic” and that “an offer may or may not come” for the striker. It appears that no bid was received, or at least none that was adequate to permit a sale, but Viana may consider making one himself if he moves to City.
After losing Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid this summer and failing to find a replacement, the reigning Premier League champions now lack a recognised backup to Erling Haaland. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that they will reinvest the club-record £82 million sum agreed upon with the Spanish giants by, for example, activating the £84 million release clause in Gyokeres’ contract – especially if City-bound Viana has anything to do with this.
