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News
- 24 minutes ago
Viktor Gyokeres: Fresh transfer verdict issued as Man Utd PRAISED for avoiding €65.8m deal
Cameron Smith
- 5 Aug 2025 15:00 BST
- 4 min read
News
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand insists that Viktor Gyokeres wouldn’t have been a good fit at Old Trafford.
The Sweden international completed a blockbuster move to Arsenal in late July, following a lengthy negotiation process, and he made his debut for Mikel Arteta’s side during a pre-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur last week.
Current ETV
Viktor Gyökeres
F (C)
Arsenal
Viktor Gyökeres
F (C)
Arsenal
ETV Range
€72M - €87.9M
The Gunners paid an initial fee of €65.8 million to bring Gyokeres to north London, although that figure will increase beyond the €70m mark once several add-on clauses are met.
The 26-year-old was heavily linked with a summer move to Man Utd before joining Arsenal, with Ruben Amorim eager to be reunited with the forward after their time together at Sporting CP, but he opted to prioritise an Arsenal transfer instead.
As a result, Man Utd were forced to identify alternative options and they have now settled on RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko as their primary target. The Red Devils have even lodged an €85m bid for the 22-year-old as they bid to beat Newcastle United to his signature.
Viktor Gyokeres transfer verdict issued
Although Gyokeres notched 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting, Ferdinand believes he wouldn’t have been a good fit at Man Utd.
“Listen, one thing there’s no dispute on, this guy has dominated Portuguese football for two years,” Ferdinand admitted in his latest YouTube video.
“Led defenders all over the place and smashed them all over the gaff, you can’t argue.
“He was massively linked to Man Utd because of the Amorim connection, and I was one who was saying, and I don’t want it to be distorted, the reason why I was saying no for United, was because I didn’t think he was the right profile for United, in terms of experience at the top level.
“You look at the two signings Man Utd have made [Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo] - Premier League experience, they understand the league.
“Whatever level you think they are, they are not going to have that adaptation to the Premier League and to the culture.
“Where he [Gyokeres] will have to have that - we don’t know if he can play in the Premier League, he hasn’t done it, he played for Coventry.”
STATS
Viktor Gyökeres
F (C)
Arsenal
Viktor Gyökeres
F (C)
Arsenal
Ferdinand added: “Let’s fast forward to now, Gyokeres signing for Arsenal absolutely makes sense. You’re in a different position, you haven’t got young strikers sitting there waiting to know what to do.
“[Kai] Havertz is your number nine, [Gabriel] Jesus is your number nine, they are experienced, you just need someone who you think can go in and score goals.”
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