How key Man Utd figure let Viktor Gyokeres go for just £1m before Sporting star became Europe’s most in-demand striker
VIKTOR GYOKERES has gone from an unwanted £1million man to the most sought-after striker in European football.
The Swedish forward, 26, scored a hat-trick as Sporting Lisbon thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League.
It brings his goal tally to 23 in 17 games for the season and 66 in 67 since arriving in Portugal from Coventry for around £20million last year.
Gyokeres’ Sporting manager Ruben Amorim is preparing to leave for Manchester United after being announced as Erik ten Hag’s successor.
Amorim, 39, will begin his reign at Old Trafford on November 11 – with Gyokeres being heavily linked with joining him in Manchester.
But it was a Man Utd chief who was a key figure in selling the striker for just £1m three years ago.
Dan Ashworth, now the Red Devils’ sporting director, sanctioned a deal for Gyokeres to leave Brighton and join Coventry for the tiny sum back in 2021.
He played just eight games for the Seagulls and scored only one goal.
After a loan spell with Coventry, Gyokeres joined them permanently for the seven-figure fee and went on to score 40 times in 97 games.
His goals fired the Championship side to the play-off final which they lost to Luton.
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But his impressive form attracted interest from Sporting – who have now seen him become one of the best attackers in Europe.
It is estimated Man Utd will have to pay in the region of £85m if they are to bring him to Old Trafford.
And Amorim has already ruled out a move for him in the January window.
He said: “Gyokeres is a Sporting player, which is a great club, he did a lot for it, he was in the second division.
“He just has to stay and finish the season at Marques.”
Meanwhile, Gyokeres also recently responded to being linked with Man Utd.
He said: “I don’t know, I’m here. I really like being here, it’s not something I think about. I’m enjoying it here.”
Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man Utd
RUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.
But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.
Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:
VIKTOR GYOKERES
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Cost: £84million
Swede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.
Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.
GONCALO INACIO
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Cost: £50million
Ball-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.
Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.
MORTEN HJULMAND
Age: 25
Position: Midfield
Cost: £40million
Dane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.
He could be the man to replace Casemiro.