Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres has intensified transfer speculation with Manchester United after expressing his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimović.
The Swedish forward has been in electrifying form this season, scoring 25 goals in 22 appearances, but Sporting’s decline since head coach Ruben Amorim’s move to Old Trafford has reportedly unsettled the 25-year-old.
Gyökeres spoke about his football inspirations in an interview with UEFA, revealing a desire to emulate two of the game’s iconic forwards.
“The players who inspire me are Zlatan Ibrahimović and Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said.
“They went above and beyond what was expected. I want to do similar things on the pitch. My three best qualities are my physicality, my finishing, and often being in the right place to score.”
Ronaldo and Ibrahimović left indelible marks at Manchester United.
Ronaldo, across two spells, netted 145 goals in 346 appearances, while Ibrahimović’s debut season saw him lead United to a League Cup and Europa League double with 28 goals.
With Amorim now United’s coach, the Red Devils are reportedly favourites to secure Gyökeres’ signature, especially as Sporting faces managerial struggle and inconsistent performances.
