Man Utd target Gyokeres 'has special skill' that set him apart, says talent scout

Viktor Gyökeres had a special skill that makes him special, says the talent scout who discovered him.

Manchester United have made Gyökeres a top priority with manager Ruben Amorim previously coaching the striker at Sporting CP.

Amorim is eager to strengthen United's underperforming attack, and Gyökeres' stock has soared following an impressive spell at Coventry City and his exploits in Portugal.

The 26-year-old captured the attention of football fans with his clinical performances, including a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City this season.

He also claimed the title of Europe's top scorer in 2024. Despite the growing interest from elite European clubs, a January move to Old Trafford seems improbable, particularly after Amorim stated he wouldn’t immediately raid his former team.

David Eklund, the scout who discovered Gyökeres, recounted the forward’s early days, admitting the young player had raw talent but lacked technical refinement.

Eklund first spotted a 12-year-old Gyökeres playing for Aspudden-Tellus, a fourth-tier Swedish club. Recognizing his potential, Eklund brought him to Brommapojkarna, a top-flight Swedish club. However, Gyökeres wasn’t an instant standout.

“He wasn’t particularly good on the ball,” Eklund told Flashscore. “We had players who were more technically skilled. But in the box, when you gave him the ball, he had a knack for scoring.

“He was solid, dependable, and a natural finisher, but not the academy’s star player. He’s very much the same type of player today—strong, clinical, and focused on finding the net.”

Gyökeres exceeded expectations when he left Sweden for Brighton in 2017 after scoring 25 goals in 67 matches for Brommapojkarna.

His debut season with Brighton’s U23s yielded seven goals in nine matches, with an additional goal for the first team in a League Cup fixture.

Subsequent loan spells at St. Pauli and Swansea City further showcased his talent, but it was his transfer to Coventry City that truly elevated his profile.

Gyökeres netted an impressive 43 goals in 116 appearances for the Sky Blues, cementing his reputation as a prolific scorer.

Eklund attributes Gyökeres’ transformation into a top striker to his time in England, which toughened his mentality.

“When he was younger, he was quiet and reserved,” Eklund explained. “But moving to England taught him to be tougher, and that change has been crucial to his development.”

Gyökeres’ success has continued at Sporting CP, where he boasts 73 goals in 78 starts. While his current release clause is set at £83 million, reports suggest Sporting might consider offers closer to £60 million (€70 million) this summer, opening the door for a potential reunion with Amorim.