The factor that keeps Viktor Gyökeres from joining a Premier League giant... and Barcelona?

The 'race' for Viktor Gyökeres is beginning to take shape. While clubs such as FC Barcelona, ​​Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal are losing strength in the 'bid' for the Swedish striker, Manchester United and Manchester City would be taking a certain advantage in the fight to get the services of the great sensation of the season.

The hiring of Hugo Viana as the new sporting director of the 'skyblue' entity after the departure of Txiki Begiristain at the end of the season is a weighty factor when it comes to tipping the balance in favor of the 'citizens', since it was the Portuguese director who took the Nordic to Sporting CP from Coventry City in the summer of 2023.

The condition imposed by Gyökeres that distances his arrival at City

However, the newspaper 'Daily Mirror' has reported that the forward would only be open to leaving José Alvalade if he is going to be sure of not being a substitute in the team he lands in. A condition that puts his possible signing for City in 'check', where Guardiola would have to manage to create an ecosystem in which Gyökeres and Erling Haaland complement each other without getting in the way of the other.

This requirement would also directly affect Barça, where they would have Robert Lewandowski as their 'spearhead' for next season. Although the Catalans consider Viktor as the possible replacement for the Pole in the medium term, the spectacular performance of the Pole this season complicates his arrival in Barcelona.

The 'killer' is experiencing a second youth under the orders of Hansi Flick, accumulating 20 goals in 18 games so far in 2024/25. His contract is on track to be automatically renewed for another year and the Catalans are planning next year's squad with 'Lewy' as the starting '9', so they could give up on signing the Swede given his desire to have a leading role in his possible new club.