Viktor Gyokeres is currently one of the best strikers in the world.
Viktor Gyokeres is currently one of the best strikers in the world.
Anybody who watched Viktor Gyokeres regularly in his final season at Coventry City would have known about his potential.
After scoring a very respectable 17 Championship goals in 2021/22, the Sweden international increased his output the following season, helping Coventry get within one game of promotion to the Premier League.
He scored 22 goals and registered 12 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions for the Sky Blues in 2022/23, meaning their play-off final defeat to Luton Town meant it was inevitable he would have to be sold.
Despite a plethora of Premier League clubs being linked with his signature, it was Sporting Lisbon that secured his services in a surprise move. He signed a five-year contract in a deal that was worth just north of £20million.
Again, anyone who watched Gyokeres in 2022/23 knew he had the potential to be a steal at such a price. He was the best striker outside of the Premier League in England that season, with his variety of goals, running power, strength, ball striking ability and clever in-box movement clear for all to see.
However, nobody could have prepared themselves for what he has done at Sporting over the last two seasons. His tally of 54 goals in 2024/25 means he has scored 97 goals in just 102 games.
For all the talk about him playing in the Portuguese top flight, or his first touch sometimes being a little bit heavy, Gyokeres should be accepted for what he is: a goalscorer. And what is it Manchester United need this summer? A goalscorer.
Football is a game of opinions, meaning it is understandable why some United fans are hoping the club will sign Gyokeres and others are in favour of Victor Osimhen.
Both have established themselves as elite-level goalscorers and neither player would be a bad signing for United.
Viktor Gyokeres has excelled since moving to Sporting Lisbon in July 2023. (Image: Valter Gouveia/NurPhoto via Getty Images.)
Osimhen's wage demands could be a big stumbling block for United. He has reportedly set huge demands this summer amid the likelihood of an exit from Napoli and that could force the Reds to look elsewhere.
If that is the case, they would not find a better alternative than Gyokeres, who is currently one of the most sought-after strikers in the world after another stellar season in Portugal.
One of his biggest strengths is his ability to score all different types of goals. He is always alert inside the box, anticipating where the ball might drop.
United lack a striker with excellent movement inside the 18-yard box, with Rasmus Hojlund often criticised for his poor positional awareness inside the penalty area.
Gyokeres, who is well-versed in Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system, is equally capable of scoring from distance. He is also excellent at collecting the ball in deep areas of the pitch and using his power and pace to get his team up the pitch. His strength and running power would bring more athleticism to United's attack.
Some may worry about him having no Premier League experience, and it is an understandable reservation after the club took gambles on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
However, Gyokeres has something those two do not have, and that is a proven goalscoring record. When it comes to signing a striker this summer, United have to sign one with exactly that.
Gyokeres' numbers are absolutely outstanding and United should be throwing everything they realistically can at Sporting to try and get him.
Where he was once a wildcard option, he should now be United's top target.