Viktor Gyokeres in action for Sporting CP.
Manchester United-linked Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Manchester United have been urged to complete a surprise move for Everton striker Beto as they look to bolster their attacking options this summer.
The Reds have made Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo a firm forward target, but are yet to return to the negotiations table after seeing an opening bid rejected. United's first offer was worth an initial fee of £55million - plus £10million in add-ons.
Viktor Gyokeres has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford since Ruben Amorim left Sporting CP to replace Erik ten Hag. However, he's understood to favour a move to Arsenal instead.
Despite Gyokeres taking the Portuguese league by storm over the past two years, scoring 97 goals in 102 games, Fernando Lopes, president of Portuguese club Uniao Tires, where Beto began his career, believes the Portuguese would be a better fit to Amorim's system.
"Everyone thought Amorim would sign Gyokeres as he had him at Sporting, but the Premier League is completely different to Portugal," Lopes said to The Sun.
"Teams are more physical and compact at the back, it's quicker and more competitive. Gyokeres would struggle to play as the lone No. 9 waiting for service. Beto's a more physical player, who fights with defenders and doesn't lose duels. He's a real headache for opponents - if he gets the service.
"In their golden era, United always scored a lot of goals from set-pieces, but haven't had a proper striker for many seasons. Nowadays, teams have small, quick strikers or a false forward because there's an obsession for possession of the ball.
"Beto represents the typical old style, because of his physique, power and work-rate, plus he's very fast.
"When [David] Moyes went to Everton he showed what a handful he's for defenders to stop. He'd be like Amorim's ace up his sleeve in a game of poker."
Everton paid £25million to secure Beto's services from Udinese in the summer of 2023.
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.