Viktor Gyokeres may be the top goalscorer in 2024 – but Arsenal and Manchester United should stay away from him.
That’s the opinion of former Watford striker Troy Deeney, who believes the Swedish goalscorer wouldn’t win either team the Premier League.
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Gyokeres has established himself as one of Europe’s deadliest strikers since joining Sporting Lisbon from Coventry in 2023.
In his first season in Portugal he scored 43 goals in all competitions, giving Sporting their first league title in three years.
And he has continued his good form this season, scoring 25 goals in all competitions.
Additionally, he has found the net 10 times for Sweden in 2024, bringing his total tally to 60.
That is 12 more than closest rival Erling Haaland, who has scored 48 goals for Manchester City and Norway.
Gyokeres, who has established himself as a goal machine, is expected to leave the Estadio José Alvalade in 2025.
The 26-year-old has an £85m release clause in his contract, although it is believed Sporting could allow him to leave for around £60m.
United are reported to be just one of those interested, with a move to Old Trafford set to reunite the striker with former manager Ruben Amorim.
Arsenal are now seen as admirers of the ex-Brighton as Mikel Arteta looks to provide competition for Kai Havertz.
But both the Red Devils and Gunners have been warned by Deeney that Gyokeres is not the right player for them.
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Speaking to The Pitch Prospect.com, Deeney was asked which of Arsenal and United would suit the player better.
He acknowledged that what he wanted to say might seem controversial to some.
He said: “You know if you say something the clip will come back in six months.”
“I really think he’s a good footballer, he works really hard and all that.”
“But I don’t think he’s a natural finisher.
“And again everyone will improve their goal record, I understand that.”
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“But I don’t think he needs either one to win the Premier League.”
“That’s just my opinion, and if he had, they would have bought him already.”
And Deeney believes Gyokeres’ performance would not be comparable to that in Portugal if he were to join a top team.
The former Birmingham striker compared the player to Darwin Nunez, who scored 34 goals in his final year at Benfica before moving to Liverpool in 2022.
In his third season in the Premier League, Nunez has yet to score more than 11 league goals.
On the quality in Portugal, he remarked: “It’s not the same league (as the English top flight).
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“And we’ll find out when Gyokeres comes by.”
Arsenal fans – and Arteta – got to see Gyokeres first-hand at the club’s Champions League meeting with Sporting last month.
Gyokeres hit the post towards the end of the game but could not save his team from a 5-1 defeat.
However, he showed his class against Manchester City in early November, scoring a hat-trick in the famous 4-1 win.
If Gyokeres continues his winning streak, it will surely only be a matter of time before the player finds himself tested in the Premier League.
And only then can we see whether Deeney is the last laugh or is forced to eat humble pie.