Mick Brown

Sat 15 March 2025 10:00, UK

Man United remain keen on a move to sign Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres this summer, according to their former chief scout.

Mick Brown, who spent over a decade at Old Trafford during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that Amorim is the “driving force” behind United’s interest.

The 26-year-old is also said to be keen on a reunion with his former boss, under whom he thrived following a move from Coventry City in 2023.

The Red Devils have been long-term admirers of the striker, after Football Insider first revealed in November that Man United had joined the race for Gyokeres.

Their potential failure to qualify for European competitions is not expected to complicate the deal as all parties remain keen on a move.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham had also targeted moves to sign the Sporting star last summer, but a lofty asking price ultimately meant he remained in Portugal.

Now, Brown has insisted that Amorim and United’s scouts are set to make a decision about the move as he remains at the top of their list of targets.

Ruben Amorim leading Man United efforts to sign Viktor Gyokeres

Since he move to Sporting in 2023, Gyokeres has become one of the most highly-regarded strikers in Europe, with a record of 82 goals and 24 assists in 90 games so far.

Brown, who was instrumental in signing the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy for Man United and has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment, has insisted the scouts must decide whether Gyokeres is capable of translating his numbers to the Premier League.

“The manager knows him better than anybody,” he told Football Insider.

“He was a superstar for him at Sporting, just look at the goals he was scoring in that team.

“So Amorim will know whether he’s the type of striker he’s looking to bring to Man United.

“On that basis, he’ll be able to decide whether the step up to Premier League football is one he will be able to take with relative ease.

“When somebody comes into the English game, the first thing you get is questions about whether they’ll be able to adapt to the Premier League.

“And that’s a valid question to ask, because plenty have failed to make that jump.

“Amorim and Gyokeres did very well in the Portuguese league, but that’s not the Premier League.

“Just assuming Gyokeres can come to Man United and replicate the numbers he’s doing in Portugal is a bit hopeful, I think.

“But it’s the scouts’ and the manager’s job to decide whether or not he’s the right option.

“He will be the driving force behind whether or not they get this done, and I’m sure the player would be interested in the move as well.

“I think it’s clear they think he’s one of their top options, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they make a move.”

Jean-Philippe Mateta and Harry Kane updates emerge at Old Trafford

Man United’s desire to sign a new striker in the summer transfer window has been well-documented, as they continue to weigh up a number of potential options.

Rasmus Hojlund’s dismal form since Amorim’s arrival is said to have accelerated that desire, and they are expected to make a move this summer.

One name who has been linked with the move is Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, but Brown told Football Insider that Man United are unlikely to sign Mateta this summer.

Instead, they are focusing on higher-profile targets such as Gyokeres, while Man United want to sign Harry Kane should he become available at Bayern Munich.

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