Manchester United have historically invested heavily in forwards as the club aims to strengthen its squad and solidify its position as England`s most successful club.
However, their recent spending hasn`t translated into Premier League success, culminating in a lower-half league position in the 2024/25 season.
Since Ruben Amorim took charge, Rasmus Hojlund has been the primary attacking option, but his goal return has been modest, scoring only four league goals this season.
Consequently, reports suggest he could move to Inter Milan this summer, less than two years after his £72m transfer from Atalanta, having fallen short of expectations based on his low goal count.
The upcoming summer transfer window offers the manager a prime chance to bolster the squad and aim for a higher league finish next season.
Manchester United`s Search for Attacking Reinforcements
Considering Hojlund`s limited goal output throughout 2024/25, it`s understandable that the club`s hierarchy is targeting added reinforcements in the final third this summer.
Players like Benjamin Sesko, Gonçalo Ramos, and Liam Delap have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but no signings have been made, with Delap notably choosing Chelsea over Amorim`s team.
Nevertheless, significant progress has reportedly been made towards acquiring Viktor Gyokeres this summer, with a Spanish source claiming United are now strong contenders for his signing.
According to this source, Jason Wilcox and his team are preparing a bid for the Swedish forward, who has scored 54 goals this season, after Arsenal also showed interest.
Sporting CP is reportedly demanding around €80m (£67m) for their key player, though the exact amount of United`s potential offer is not mentioned.
Why Gyokeres Might Be Manchester United`s `Haaland`
Erling Haaland has been a phenomenal success in the Premier League in recent seasons, playing a key role in Manchester City`s treble win in 2022/23.
Now in his third year in England, the Norwegian striker has scored 85 goals in 97 league games, winning the Golden Boot twice in the last three seasons.
This form has established him as arguably the most potent forward in Europe, with clubs across the continent envying his clinical finishing.
Curiously, things could have turned out differently, as United`s leadership reportedly passed up the chance to sign Haaland during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer`s time as manager.
While Gyokeres` goal tally is remarkable, his underlying statistics are equally compelling, surpassing Haaland in several crucial metrics, suggesting he could become United`s equivalent of the City star if he joins Old Trafford.
The Swedish forward, praised as “phenomenal” by one analyst, not only scored more than Haaland but also boasted a higher shot accuracy, indicating his precision in front of goal.
Furthermore, he has a better success rate in take-ons and makes more carries into the final third, showcasing his ability to generate chances independently rather than solely depending on others.
| How Gyokeres compares to Haaland in 2024/25 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistics (per 90) | Gyokeres | Haaland |
| Games played | 33 | 31 |
| Goals & assists | 46 | 25 |
| Shot on target accuracy | 53% | 52% |
| Shots on target per 90 | 2.2 | 1.8 |
| Take-on success | 46% | 38% |
| Carries into final third | 1.3 | 0.4 |
| Aerials won | 54% | 53% |
Gyokeres` effectiveness extends to aerial duels, winning a higher percentage, potentially providing Amorim with the central attacking presence the team has needed since his arrival in November.
While a £67m fee might appear steep for a player without Premier League experience, his prolific recent form suggests it could be a worthwhile gamble.
If he can replicate anything near Haaland`s impact in recent seasons, he would be a tremendous signing and could even prove to be a bargain despite the significant investment.
