By JAMES COHEN
Published: 05:01 EDT, 11 June 2025 | Updated: 05:01 EDT, 11 June 2025
Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Viktor Gyokeres is 'not the guy' for Manchester United amid their rumoured interest in the forward.
Gyokeres, 27, has been heavily linked with United in recent days, with the Red Devils moving ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea in the race for his signature.
The striker appeared to bid farewell to Sporting's fans after completing a domestic double with the club last month, but he remains with the Portuguese outfit for now.
As rumours over a potential reunion between Gyokeres and Ruben Amorim persist, United legend Ferdinand has weighed in on the potential move.
Speaking on his own podcast, Rio Ferdinand Presents, the United legend was joined by Joleon Lescott and Joel Beya as a discussion on the striker broke out.
Beya declared: 'Gyokeres, you've got to go for him'. Lescott swiftly replied: 'I believe that you're going to go for him - but he's not the guy'.
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon
United legend Rio Ferdinand insisted that Gyokeres is not the right striker for the Red Devils
Then, Ferdinand said: 'I don't think he's the guy. I've not watched him loads [but] I've watched him probably three times really, really closely.
'And three times I've gone, 'He ain't getting that opportunity in the Prem'. When I see him physically matched, what else is there?
'Is there enough - after he's physically matched - to get him a goal?'
Similarly, Lescott suggested: 'You don't get away with that in the Prem'.
Gyokeres has a €100m (£84m) release clause in his Sporting contract, but he is understood to have reached a gentleman's agreement with the club at the start of the season over a reduced asking price.
The forward was promised that he could leave Sporting this summer for €60m (£51m), plus €10m (£8m) in add-ons, to take the overall transfer fee down to £59m.
However, according to Portuguese outlet Record, Sporting's board are now seeking in the region of €80m (£67m) before allowing Gyokeres to move on.
He is believed to be livid with Sporting's U-turn and feels they have failed to deliver on their promise to him.
Former Man City star Joleon Lescott agreed that Gyokeres would not suit the Red Devils
Should he complete a move to Manchester, Gyokeres would be reunited with Ruben Amorim
Gyokeres has responded by removing any reference to Sporting on his Instagram account, having also got rid of any mention of Sweden and Nike.
United failed to get a deal over the line in the 'special' transfer window that shut on Tuesday evening, but they could return for Gyokeres when the window re-opens on later this month.
Since joining Sporting from Coventry two years ago, Gyokeres has scored an astonishing 97 goals in 102 matches.
He is now one of the most in-demand strikers in European football, and he appeared to bid farewell to Sporting fans after completing a domestic double with the club last month.