Former Arsenal captain William Gallas believes Manchester United will win the race to sign Europe’s most sought-after striker Viktor Gyokeres.
The Swede, who excelled in the Championship at Coventry City, has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United next summer following Ruben Amorim’s switch from Lisbon to Old Trafford as head coach.
Sporting CP are flying it this season as they remain unbeaten at the top of the Primeira Liga. The Portuguese champions also recorded a memorable 4-1 win over Man City in the Champions League, with Gyokeres scoring a hat-trick to stun Pep Guardiola’s side.
Gyokeres has become one of the hottest properties in Europe since his move to Lisbon in 2023 and his stats explain why that is the case. He scored 43 goals in 50 games in his debut season and has 23 goals to his name in 18 appearances this term.
The 26-year-old will be disappointed to lose Amorim mid-season, like the rest of his team-mates, but he must continue his goalscoring form to ensure he gets a big move next summer.
Arsenal have been linked with Gyokeres, with many pundits arguing Mikel Arteta’s side is missing a top-level striker. Gallas is one of them, and he has urged Gunners chiefs to sign a new forward to take Kai Havertz’ place in the team.
“Kai Havertz has never ever been the right man to take Arsenal to the Premier League title. Havertz is a good player, but he’s not top class. I’m sorry, but he’s nowhere near a world-class level, Arsenal need a player to replace him at striker,” Gallas told Genting Casino, as quoted by The Mirror.
“The club needs to wake up, it’s obvious and simple, they need a striker. You need a strong squad to compete with each other, that’s how Man City and Liverpool stay at such a high level, if you have the same starting XI every week then the performances level will drop.
“Arsenal have no chance of signing Viktor Gyokeres, he will choose Man United. Gyokeres will follow Ruben Amorim to Man United, I think Gyokeres would suit Man United’s team too.”
Viktor Gyokeres would suit Manchester United
I mean, of course, he will.
Amorim has worked with Gyokeres at Sporting CP, where he has become one of the best strikers in Europe.
United are in desperate need of a top-level striker due to the lack of goals scored this season. There has been a pick up on that front since Erik ten Hag was sacked and replaced by Ruud van Nistelrooy in a caretaker capacity.
Amorim has several issues to address as head coach, but the biggest will be winning football matches consistency and scoring goals.
Gyokeres could help fix that.