Back in the summer of 2021, Manchester United thought they had landed themselves one of the deals of the transfer window, re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo 12 years after he left for Real Madrid.
The Portuguese international looked set for a move to join Manchester City, before the Red Devils hijacked that deal and secured a fairytale return to Old Trafford.
He would feature 54 times in his second stint, scoring 27 times, before a major bust-up with Erik ten Hag would see him depart for his current side, Al Nassr, in November 2022.
However, despite his off-the-field issues, it was a huge move that boosted the club’s finances and brought added excitement around the ground – especially after finishing second in the Premier League the season prior to his arrival.
Fast-forward to the present day, a similar move could well be completed, with Ruben Amorim’s side looking to pounce and take advantage of a potential transfer this summer.
The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer
Dušan Vlahović is a player who could be a cheap option for United and director of football Jason Wilcox this summer, with current side, Juventus, potentially offloading him for just £15m during the off-season.
The Red Devils have been in constant talks with the Italian outfit over a move for the Serbian international, potentially seeing Jadon Sancho moving in the opposite direction.
However, attention may have been turned to another target, with Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres appearing on their radar once again, according to A Bola’s latest update.
Whilst the Swede has looked certain to move to Arsenal this window, the report claims a deal has stalled in recent days with the Gunners reluctant to meet Sporting’s valuation of the player.
As a result, the Red Devils are on red alert and are looking to pounce on the situation, potentially handing the forward a lifeline as he seeks an escape route out of Lisbon.
It also states that the Portuguese outfit are holding out for a fee in the region of £70m, including add-ons, to sell the 27-year-old during the current transfer window.
Why United’s latest target would be the biggest deal since Ronaldo
Since Ronaldo’s second spell at United, the hierarchy have splashed the cash to try and land players who could thrive at the club within the final third.
Rasmus Hojlund is just one player who’s tried to fill the void in recent seasons, but the Dane has fallen way below the expectations of a signing who cost £72m.
The 22-year-old has only registered 26 goals in his first two full seasons at Old Trafford, leading to rumours around his own long-term future at the club under Amorim.
Joshua Zirkzee is another striker who’s failed to impress, notching just seven goals last season, after joining from Italian side Bologna nearly 12 months ago.
However, when comparing the pair’s respective stats to those of Gyokeres from the 2024/25 campaign, the Swede has massively blown them out the water – highlighting why he’d be the best signing since Ronaldo in such a department.
Gyokeres, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by commentator Ian Darke, massively outscored the pair and posted a better goal per shot on target rate – showcasing the clinical edge he possesses in the final third.
He also managed to complete more take-ons that he attempted, along with more carries into the opposition’s box per 90, having the ability to create an opportunity for himself out of nothing.
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How Gyokeres compared to Hojlund & Zirkzee in 2024/25 |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Gyokeres |
Hojlund |
Zirkzee |
|
Games played |
33 |
32 |
32 |
|
Goals & assists |
46 |
4 |
4 |
|
Shot on target accuracy |
52% |
40% |
39% |
|
Goals per shot on target |
0.4 |
0.3 |
0.2 |
|
Progressive carries |
4.3 |
1.2 |
0.9 |
|
Key passes made |
1.9 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
|
Take-on succeess |
46% |
27% |
31% |
|
Carries into opposition box |
3.1 |
0.7 |
0.2 |
|
Aerials won |
50% |
24% |
28% |
|
Stats via FBref |
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The Swede’s creativity is also demonstrated by his tally of 1.9 key passes per 90, along with 50% aerials won – handing Amorim’s side that focal point to play off, something they’ve massively been lacking in recent months.
It’s unclear as to how much of an opportunity they have to hijack the move for the forward, but it’s hugely evident that he would be the best option at the manager’s disposal.
If he could replicate the levels produced by Ronaldo at Old Trafford, it would be a phenomenal piece of business and one that could catapult them up the table next campaign.
Having beaten off Man City to secure the huge coup of sealing Ronaldo’s homecoming, managing to get ahead of the Gunners in the race for Gyokeres would be a similar seismic, statement deal for Wilcox and the new regime.
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