Man Utd told striker target "as good as Gyokeres on his day" but concerns already raised by ex-Man City man
Man United are hoping to sign a striker this summer, and have been linked with a Premier League free agent.
Ruben Amorim will be disappointed that he has all but missed out on the opportunity to re-unite with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, as the Swedish international looks likely to join Arsenal this summer instead.
Gyokeres was United’s first-choice striker target, but they have been linked to others, with the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Ollie Watkins considered as alternatives to the 27-year-old Sporting attacker.
However, both Ekitike and Watkins are expected to cost over £60m, and with the Red Devils prioritising a deal to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, they may have to consider cheaper alternatives, with one such player being linked.
Calvert-Lewin hailed as “very similar” to Gyokeres
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a free agent this summer after he left Everton following a nine-year spell with the club. He has been offered to Man United as a cut-price striker option who has plenty of Premier League experience. Newcastle United are also said to be interested in the 28-year-old.
Former Newcastle and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew spoke about Calvert-Lewin on talkSPORT, suggesting that at his best, he can be as good as Gyokeres, making him a potentially exciting signing for Man United.
Pardew said: “On their day [Calvert-Lewin and Viktor Gyokeres], there’s not much between them. When he’s [Calvert-Lewin] on his game, he’s as good as any striker in the Premier League.
“If you’re a Man United fan and you’re thinking Gyokeres is going to come through the door and work with Amorim as he did at Sporting CP… that looks like it’s gone. If Calvert-Lewin has a day and Gyokeres has his day, they’re very similar. Of course, the consistency level of Calvert-Lewin is the big, big problem with him.”
@talksport Calvert-Lewis is AS GOOD as Gyokeres when fully fit, claims Pardew! 👀 #everton #arsenal #manchesterunited #footballtiktok ♬ original sound - talkSPORT
As it seems that United have lost out on Gyokeres, they could instead bring Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer and get a cut-price goal-scorer. If they can get the 28-year-old back to his best, it could turn out to be a very savvy piece of business from the Red Devils.
Ex-Man City man raises concerns about Calvert-Lewin
While all that sounds great about the former Everton striker, he has struggled to stay fit in the past two seasons, limiting the amount of Premier League football that he’s been able to play. Last year, he scored just three goals in 26 games for the Toffees in the league, something that could put off any interest from Man United.
Speaking to BBC Sport, former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has said that despite rating his ability, he has worries about Calvert-Lewin’s fitness and availability heading into next season.
Onuoha said last month: “Realistically, you have got to say this next season is going to be huge for Dominic Calvert-Lewin personally. People have seen his talents, but the goalscoring record that got him in and around the England squad is becoming longer and longer ago.
“He needs to find a stretch where he is healthy, fit and available because you want to be able to rely on a striker and Everton have not been able to rely on Calvert-Lewin for a long time now. To have a potential England international in the squad is brilliant - but only if they are available.”