Siddharth Juyal
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants Sporting Lisbon forward Viktor Gyokeres in the summer
Erik ten Hag wants to sign prolific Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres during the summer to fix his misfiring attack. Gyokeres is enjoying a highly productive season with Sporting CP under the system of Ruben Amorim which fits his qualities.
The Portuguese club are currently at the top of the Liga Portugal table, seven points ahead of competitive rivals Benfica. They have also defeated Benfica in the Taca de Portugal semi-finals to reach the final of the competition, attempting a double.
Gyokeres is an imposing forward, standing at 1.87 metres and having the strength to withstand duels with any powerful defender. The Sweden international has athleticism and movement which bothers the defenders and makes him unpredictable to mark and subdue.
The 26-year-old drops into the channels and between the spaces of opposition defence and midfield to create chances and link-ups. He is a clinical finisher, capable of shooting with both feet and through the header while maintaining composure and power.
Gyokeres has notched up several assists which shows his all-round ability to create chances and do selfless teamwork constantly. The 26-year-old has made 45 appearances for Sporting CP in all competitions, scoring 38 goals and providing 16 assists.
Fichajes reported that Ten Hag wants to sign Gyokeres to strengthen his misfiring attack department with his prolific abilities. However, the report says that United are not willing to pay the 100-million-euro clause that Gyokeres possesses in his contract.
Gyokeres’s agent confirmed that the striker joined Sporting CP because of Amorim, only preferring to leave for the Champions League. The Red Devils have neither to offer to lure the Sweden international to Old Trafford during the summer.
United suffered an embarrassing campaign under Ten Hag, facing early elimination from the Champions League and the Carabao Cup. Furthermore, they almost lost the FA Cup semi-finals to the Championship side Coventry City, giving away a three-goal lead. Curiously, Gyokeres played for Coventry before leaving for Sporting in the summer of 2023.
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They face Manchester City in the FA Cup final as a big under-dog after beating Coventry in penalties. Furthermore, Man United are currently seventh in the Premier League table as their minimum expectation of the top four looks far away. The Red Devils need better attacking options than what they currently possess before the next season begins to avoid the similar misery which they faced this season.
