Man Utd might need to consider a wildcard striker option as they look to make their next move in the summer window.
Brighton are getting their recruitment so right that even a player they would deem a flop would be worthy of Manchester United’s consideration this summer.
Erik ten Hag’s side are set to make Mason Mount their first signing of the transfer window, but work is already under way to follow up his signature with that of a goalkeeper and a striker.
It is no secret that signing a striker is the priority for United this summer, though the uncertain takeover situation has made doing so a lot easier said than done.
United have already all but given up any hope of signing Harry Kane, it looks like Victor Osimhen is set to remain at Napoli and even cheaper options like Rasmus Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani could end up being over budget.
In the very worst case scenario, United might even have to delay plans to sign an elite forward for another year, and look to sign a cheaper, wildcard option to suffice in the short-term.
They might have left it too late to make such a realisation though, with one of the ideal cheaper candidates looking set to move before they can even give it consideration.
United fans might recoil at the suggestion of signing a literal second-tier striker this summer, but a move for Viktor Gyökeres could prove to be the exception.
The 25-year-old was the standout striker in English football outside of the Premier League last season and would have been gracing the top-flight for sure, had Coventry won the play-off final penalty shootout against Luton.
Some supporters might dismiss these exploits as misleading given they occured in the second-tier, but then it would be hypocrticial to expect big things from Amad after his loan spell at Sunderland.
He had scored 11 goals in 12 appearances in his first five months with the Brighton academy, helping them win promotion to the top flight of U23 football, but would suffer from the club’s short-term needs at senior levle as they loooked to establish themselves in the Premier League.
Gyökeres spent three years at Brighton but never made a league appearance, and he only managed one goal in the eight senior appearances he eventually made for the club.
He went on loan to St. Pauli and Swansea, though it was a short-term switch to Coventry that would set him on the path to becoming one of the best strikers in the Championship.
The Swede netted three league goals during the loan spell but they were convinced to take a gamble on his signature for less than £1million, beleiving he had the raw attributes to perform at a higher level.
It proved to be a masterstroke. Gyökeres gradually settled into life at Coventry and relished the opportunity to be their main man in attack. He grabbed 18 league goals in his first full season and followed it up with 22 goals and 12 assists as his side finished fifth in the Championship last season.
Not only are the numbers impressive, but so too is his style of play. Gyökeres possesses the same frightening balance of pace and power that makes player like Erling Haaland so lethal, as well as the intelligence to make sure he is in the right place at the right time.
Of course, this is not to say he is on the same level as the likes of Haaland, Harry Kane or even Rasmus Hojlund, but he certainly has some of the key attributes required to be a success in the Premier League.
It would not be too harsh to say that the reason Coventry’s quick counter-attacking was so successful last season was because of the brilliance of their striker who was able to make things out of nothing.
The striker also cites the insight of Coventy manager Mark Robins’ own playing career at Old Trafford as a key element in his development as a player.
“He speaks to me about how I can be more effective and gives me little bits of advice on my movement,” he told club media. “It’s helpful to have a coach who has played for the likes of Manchester United, because he knows the demands of the very top level and you can learn a lot from that.”
Since he joined Coventry no player has been involved in more Championship goals than he has (54), and his tally of 38 goals has only been surpassed by Aleksandar Mitrović (43, all in one season for Fulham) and Joël Piroe at Swansea (41).
That is even more impressive considering the side he has been playing for, and although he is still a raw talent, his output is still impressive given the circumstance he has often played in for Coventry.
What is perhaps the most encouraging though is his physical presence in the box and the way he brings the best out of his teammates as well, something that could be crucial in unlocking the true potential of United’s wide players.
The issue for United is that they might have already missed their chance to get him. Gyökeres is understood to be closing in on a £18.5m move to Sporting Lisbon, meaning there is not long left for any side to try and hijack a deal.
The Portuguese giants are in a position where they can afford to take more of a risk on a striker than United this summer, but it would certainly not be a surprise if he quickly found form there either.
If that is the case then maybe United will be more open to taking such gambles in the future and the longer their striker search goes on, the more compelling a case it will become.
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