Viktor Gyokeres showed why some of Europe's elite are chasing his signature on Tuesday night as he scored a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City.
The 26-year-old striker, who joined Sporting Lisbon from Championship side Coventry City in 2023 for around £21 million, has netted 23 goals in 15 games for Ruben Amorim's side this season – a run of form that has garnered worldwide attention.
Unsurprisingly, the Sweden international is being linked with a move to Manchester United as Amorim gets ready to succeed Erik ten Hag as the next head coach at Old Trafford.
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When questioned about signing Gyokeres in his post-match press conference on Tuesday, Amorim said: “If I start joking about this Gyokeres situation I'll get in trouble."
He added: "This is my city, this is my country, so I'll respect it. Viktor has to stay until the end of the season and then his life will probably go somewhere else.”
Last week, Gyokores appeared to play down rumours of a move as he reaffirmed his commitment to Sporting.
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But if he did make the big-money switch, then he would once again play for a Premier League club, three years after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Stockholm-born striker joined Brighton from IF Brommapojkarna in 2018 but he failed to break into Graham Potter's side, with his time at the club dominated by loan spells at Swansea City, St Pauli and Coventry.
In fact, Gyokores made just four appearances for the Seagulls before joining Coventry City in a deal worth £1 million.
Speaking about his departure in 2021, then-Brighton technical director Dan Ashworth explained the decision to let him leave.
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“He’s spent the last two years out on loan but this gives him the chance to really settle in one place and play regularly at a really high standard which, at 23, is paramount for his own development," said Ashworth.
“Coventry were impressed with the impact he made in his relatively short time there last season and that can be an added confidence boost for Viktor. We wish him all the best for the future.”
Three years later and Ashworth, who is now the sporting director at Manchester United, may be faced with an awkward conversation if Amorim requests to sign Gyokores.
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On Tuesday night, during coverage of Sporting's win over Manchester City, a topic of discussion on social media was Brighton's decision to get rid of the Swede.
One fan wrote: "Just goes to show that even the poster boys of recruitment in Brighton make mistakes now and again," while another said: "Not like Brighton to drop a clanger."
A third commented: "Easy to bash Brighton/Ashworth in hindsight, but certainly no eyebrows would have been raised at the time I'd have thought."
A fourth added: "Coventry manager Mark Robins and former assistant manager Adi Viveash turned him into a BEAST. Born in Sweden, Made in Coventry."
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Do you think Gyokores would be a good signing for Manchester United? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Manchester United, Sporting CP, Sporting Lisbon, Brighton And Hove Albion
Jack Kenmare