Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting’s prolific Swedish striker, has added gasoline to hypothesis linking him with a possible transfer to Manchester United. Talking forward of his facet’s Champions League conflict with Membership Brugge, Gyokeres cited former United stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as his childhood idols. This admission has intensified rumors of a switch to Outdated Trafford, significantly after his former supervisor, Ruben Amorim, made the swap from Sporting to United.
Gyokeres, 26, has emerged as considered one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards following a exceptional spell with Sporting. Since becoming a member of the Portuguese membership from Coventry Metropolis in 2023, he has scored an astonishing 68 objectives and offered 19 assists in 72 appearances. His present season is equally prolific, with 25 objectives in 22 matches throughout all competitions.
These statistics have drawn curiosity from prime golf equipment, together with Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Manchester Metropolis. Nonetheless, Manchester United has been strongly linked with the Swedish worldwide, significantly since Amorim’s appointment because the membership’s supervisor. Gyokeres’ enjoying model—marked by medical ending and tactical intelligence—has made him a main candidate to bolster the Pink Devils’ assault, which has struggled for consistency this season.
Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic: Inspirations
When requested about his soccer heroes, Gyokeres named Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, each of whom left indelible marks at Outdated Trafford. “The gamers I seemed as much as have been Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo,” mentioned Gyokeres. “It’s about how they carried out on the pitch. They went the additional mile, which inspired me. I needed to do comparable issues on the pitch.”
Ronaldo, who performed for United from 2003 to 2009 and returned briefly in 2021, stays one of many membership’s greatest-ever gamers, scoring 145 objectives in 346 appearances and profitable quite a few titles, together with three Premier League crowns and the Champions League.
Ibrahimovic, although solely at United for 2 seasons (2016-2018), had a big influence. The Swedish icon scored 29 objectives in 53 appearances, main United to an EFL Cup and Europa League double in his debut season. Gyokeres’ admiration for these legends not solely displays his aspirations but in addition aligns with the ethos of Manchester United, a membership synonymous with world-class strikers.
Manchester United’s striker conundrum
United’s want for a dependable goalscorer is evident. Whereas summer season signings Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee confirmed promise, neither has delivered constant performances. Hojlund, regardless of flashes of brilliance, stays inconsistent, whereas Zirkzee has scored simply three objectives in all competitions since his arrival from Bologna.
Gyokeres, along with his confirmed observe document as a prolific scorer, gives an answer to this ongoing drawback. His launch clause, reportedly set at €100 million, might deter some suitors, however Sporting would possibly entertain bids nearer to €70 million, making him a viable choice for United.
Regardless of swirling rumors, Gyokeres stays targeted on his present membership. Talking to Fotboll Skanalen, he said: “I wish to end this season at Sporting. I adore it right here. We’ll see [about a new club] when the time comes. I wish to play, that’s essential, and there shall be different components.”
When requested about reuniting with Amorim at Outdated Trafford, he added: “He most likely has some strikers there already, so we’ll see. It’s enjoyable however nothing I connect any significance to as a result of it’s discuss and nothing concrete.”
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