Ex-Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson believes Manchester United should sanction a move for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Speaking to Paddy Power, Lawrenson said that it would be the right decision to sign the Swedish international, who already has a strong relationship with the club’s head coach:

“If you were Ruben Amorim, you’d want Viktor Gyokeres to join you at Manchester United because he knows what buttons to press and how to get the best out of him. When a manager joins a club from a different country, they tend to bring two or three players with them as it’s familiarity for them.”

“If he’s available and United can get him, then they 100% should – especially if they can get him for £63m, which is the price that is being quoted.”

A January deal for Gyokeres could be difficult

Sporting are not likely to be open to selling the 26-year-old during the January transfer window, with it being suggested that they will demand any team pay his release clause, which currently stands at €100m (£83m).

However, as Lawrenson mentions, there is reportedly a gentleman’s agreement between Gyokeres and his club that he can leave for a lower fee next summer.

United will face a lot of competition

If Gyokeres continues to score goals at his current rate, there will be plenty of other teams vying to sign him at the end of the season. Since joining Sporting last year, has has scored 66 times in just 67 appearances.

Arsenal, Liverpool and even Manchester City (who he scored a hat-trick against earlier this week) have been credited with an interest in the forward.

Of course, United would feel that they have an ace up their sleeve with his connection to Amorim if they do make an approach in the future.

Find out who is in Manchester United’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here