Viktor Gyokeres' ex-team-mate explains why Man Utd is coveted striker's 'preferred transfer destination' - with Sporting CP hitman backed to thrive in the Premier League

Gyokeres has come a long way since failing to make a single Premier League appearance for the Seagulls between 2018 and 2021. With 76 goals recorded through 81 appearances for Portuguese giants Sporting, the 26-year-old has become one of the most sought-after talents in world football.

Few of those that worked with him at Brighton could have predicted such a meteoric rise, with Gaeten Bong telling RMC Sport: “Everyone who knew him in his early days in England will tell you the same thing. He was a decent and combative striker, but without disrespect, he had quite a few faults. There was nothing to say that he was going to explode one day. Technically and in his finishing, it was… mediocre, for example, he was far from the level of Glenn Murray, who was our starting number nine.”

Murray, who was blocking Gyokeres’ path, has now told 10bet of the impressions that he got of a fellow forward that took a while to find his groove: “Viktor, he was a young lad at the club and was he up to the level? Well, the manager didn't think he was up to the level. We were in a squad where we were in survival mode, and you couldn't really bring lads in to develop them. In all honesty, it was one of those situations where he made that hard decision to leave the Premier League and in hindsight, it was the right decision to leave.

“You could always see there was a player in there, but at that point in time he was playing off the left. He liked coming in off the left and shooting. He was never really an out-and-out nine. I'm not sure if that's because Aaron Connolly was in the same age group as him and he was the one that was doing really well at that moment.

“I'm not sure if Viktor preferred it or he kind of got shunted out to the left. But you could see that there was a desire and a hunger and the capability for him to become a full-time professional player and make it in the game.”

Gyokeres is now being linked with leading sides across Europe, from Bayern Munich to Barcelona, but Murray expects him to be reunited with former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim in English football, adding: “He's smashed every question down so far, so he definitely deserves his chance in the Premier League, and I think with his confidence and ability he would be a success. Did I see it coming what has happened? Probably not. It just shows what belief in yourself, other people's belief and confidence can do for you.

“I think the way he's worked it and what he's done, it's pretty much the perfect blueprint for any young professional that might not be ripe to burst into the Premier League. Let's face it, very, very few are at such a tender age.

“To have a few loans, to go out to Coventry, which was the right fit for him, and the team was built around him to score goals, and then the move to Sporting. When you go to a league like that, you've been backed. They paid a lot of money for you, you're going to get your time, you're going to get your chance.

“He's taken it with both hands and now the next step is one of the big leagues in Europe. Hopefully that is the Premier League. Obviously, with his old manager being here, its quite likely that if he does decide to come here, Manchester United are going to be his preferred destination.”

A move to Old Trafford during the January transfer window is considered to be unlikely, as United need to raise funds and Sporting are reluctant to sanction a sale midway through the 2024-25 campaign, but a deal could be done in the summer as Gyokeres is charged with the task of breathing new life in the Red Devils’ misfiring attacking unit.