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Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have been told one of their key transfer targets is a ‘better version’ of Erling Haaland.
Haaland has been the most prolific goalscorer in Europe over the past five years, scoring a hugely impressive 104 goals in 112 appearances for Manchester City.
His tally of 36 goals in his first season in England was a Premier League record and the 24-year-old looks set to post similar numbers this season with 14 goals in his first 14 games.
Haaland even looks on course to smash Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League record of 260 goals but former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart nevertheless believes Viktor Gyokeres has ‘a bit more’ than the Norwegian.
Gyokeres has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe following his sensational form for Sporting Lisbon, where he has scored 59 goals in 65 games.
The 26-year-old former Coventry City striker bagged 29 goals last season to help Sporting win the Portuguese title and already has 16 goals in 10 league games this term.
Gyokeres is expected to be the subject of interest from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool during the upcoming January transfer window, particularly given his current boss Ruben Amorim is preparing to take over at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Ziggo Sport, ex-Tottenham star Van der Vaart said: ‘It sounds a bit crazy, but I think he [Gyokeres] is a bit of a better version of Haaland. Haaland is of course incredible, but Gypkeres has a bit more, or something.’
AC Milan and Ajax hero Marco van Basten added on Gyokeres: ‘He’s a real footballer, I think. A real footballing striker.
‘Strong, scores easily and is calm in front of goal. He is also able to pass the keeper, I think he’s a really good striker. I can enjoy him.’
Gyokeres has got on the scoresheet in 12 of his 14 appearances for Sporting this season and bagged four in his last game against Estrela Amadora.
The Sweden international recently distanced himself from rumours he could follow Amorim to Manchester United.
‘Going with Amorim to Manchester United? I don’t know,’ Gyokeres said following his sensational performance against Estrela.
‘I’m here. As you can see, I enjoy it at Sporting. It’s nothing I really think about. I’m sad about him [Amorim] leaving. We wish him all the best.’
While Gyokeres has been in incredible form, ex-Arsenal and England star Paul Merson is baffled by the level of interest in a player who was at Championship side Coventry less than two years ago.
‘They’re all talking about bringing Viktor Gyokeres in,’ Merson wrote in his Sportskeeda column. ‘This is what does my head in, honestly.
‘He was playing for Coventry a while ago and no one wanted him. Now he goes to a lesser league, does well and suddenly you have to pay £40-50m extra for him!
‘Imagine if he was still at Coventry and United wanted him. Everybody would be losing their minds.’
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