Troy Deeney: Viktor Gyokeres is not a natural finisher and he will be discovered at Arsenal or Manchester United
Viktor Gyokeres may be the top scorer in 2024, but Arsenal and Manchester United should stay away from him.
That is the opinion of the former Watford striker Troy Deeneywho believes that the Swedish scorer would not win the Premier League against either team.
Gyokeres He has established himself as one of the most lethal strikers in Europe since he swapped Coventry for Sporting Lisbon in 2023.
In his first season in Portugal he scored 43 goals in all competitions, leading Sporting to their first league title in three years.
And he has continued his good form this campaign, where he has contributed 25 goals in all competitions.
He has also scored ten goals for Sweden in 2024, bringing his total to 60.
That's 12 more than its closest rival. Erling Haalandwho has scored 48 goals with Manchester City and Norway.
Gyokeres, who has established himself as a goal machine, is likely to leave the José Alvalade Stadium 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 the interested parties, with a move to Old Trafford to reunite the striker with his former boss. Ruben Amorim.
Meanwhile Arsenal are known to be admirers of the former Brighton man as Mikel Arteta seeks to compete for Kai Havertz.
But Deeney warned both the Red Devils and Gunners that Gyokeres is not the right player for them.
5
5
Speaking to talkSPORT.com, Deeney was asked who was Arsenal and United It would be more suitable for the player.
To which he acknowledged that what he was about to say may seem controversial to some.
He said: “You know when you say something, the clip will come back in six months.
“I really think he's a good footballer, he works very hard, all that.
“But I don't think he's a natural finisher.
“And again, everyone is going to improve their goal record, I understand that.
5
“But I don't think he'll use either of those two to win the Premier League.
“That's just my opinion, and if it were, they would have bought it by now.”
And Deeney believes Gyokeres' performance would be nothing like Portugal's if he joined a top-flight team.
The former Birmingham striker compared the player to Darwin Núñez, who scored 34 goals in his final year at Benfica before joining Liverpool in 2022.
In what is his third season in the Premier League, Núñez has yet to score more than 11 league goals.
Speaking about the quality in Portugal, he commented: “It's not the same league (as the English top flight).
5
“And we will know when Gyokeres comes.”
Arsenal fans – and Arteta – got a first-hand look at Gyokeres last month in the club's Champions League fixture at Sporting.
Gyokeres hit the post late in the match, but could not prevent his team from losing 5-1.
Although he showed his class against Manchester City in early November – scoring a hat-trick in a famous 4-1 victory.
If Gyokeres continues his good run, it is surely only a matter of time before the player is tested in the Premier League.
And only then can we see if Deeney has the last laugh or is forced to eat humbly.
