Ineos want Amorim to change his defiant stance on United star who can save the club £60m this summer – report

But the search has proven difficult with only a narrow range of options and a host of other clubs also on the hunt for a centre-forward.

Narrow Number Nine Market

United identified Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, 22, as a primary target due to the England U-21 international’s £30 million relegation clause at Portman Road – a favourable price in an expensive market. And despite Old Trafford executives entering “face-to-face talks” with Delap, he rejected these advances in favour of a move to Chelsea.

But Amorim is believed to have always preferred a move to reunite him with his former pupil in Lisbon, Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

The Sweden international’s contract in the Portuguese capital contains a €100 million release clause. But he was reported to have reached a gentleman’s agreement with Sporting officials that the club would consider proposals worth around €70 million this summer.

However, Sporting’s president, Frederico Varandas, rejected this arrangement had ever been made in a bombastic public statement. He instead claims the Lions will only accept an offer than the release clause, not €70 million.

“I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m plus €10m [in add-ons] because I never promised that,” Varandas stated. “To this day, Sporting has not received an offer for Gyokeres – neither today nor last summer.”

Pete Hall (i Paper) contends United will “not break the bank” for Gyokeres, despite the Swede remaining the club’s “top target,” as the budget at Old Trafford is already stretched.

Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha was confirmed as a new Red Devil yesterday in a £62.5 million switch from Wolverhampton Wanders while United are locked in negotiations for Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo at a similar figure.

This makes a costly pursuit of Gyokeres difficult, particularly if the price has increased from initial projections. Furthermore, there are doubts amongst senior executives at Old Trafford over a move for the Sporting talisman with some questioning whether Gyokeres has the “right profile”.

Instead, Hall reveals, there are many figures at the club who believe Joshua Zirkzee could continue his resurgence under Amorim and take on the centre-forward role next season, flanked by Cunha and Mbeumo.

“There is, however, a feeling among many at the club that Joshua Zirkzee could fulfil that role in a fluid front three, flanked by Bryan Mbeumo – for whom a second bid is on the way – and Matheus Cunha.

“Zirkzee improved markedly after being booed off by his own supporters in December, before picking up an injury that ended his season prematurely. The Dutchman’s resurrection made him something of a fan favourite, among all the gloom around Old Trafford.”