Manchester United’s chase to sign Viktor Gyokeres looks to have all but come to an end this week.
Heading into the summer transfer window, Manchester United were always keen on signing a new number nine after a season of struggles in the attack.
Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils ended the campaign with just 44 Premier League goals scored.
Ineos have made a conscious effort to bolster the attack already, with Matheus Cunha arriving at Old Trafford, instantly becoming the star of the frontline for Amorim.
Cunha should soon be joined in pre-season by Bryan Mbeumo, who remains at Brentford. This comes as United are still in talks to sign Mbeumo.
However, in terms of signing a new striker, United are yet to make a move as options drop off the table. Ineos have missed out on Liam Delap already, while Viktor Gyokeres now nears a move to Arsenal, which has left United back at the drawing board.
But now, one of the undesirable options has been tipped as a possible winning option for United.
Alan Pardew likes Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a signing for Manchester United
With top targets disappearing from Ineos’ shortlist, free agency is being tipped as an area to watch. United have been offered Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jamie Vardy, and Callum Wilson.
None of these three would be ideal and would probably frustrate fans; however, now United have been told by former Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew that Calvert-Lewin would be quite a good signing, while speaking to talkSPORT.
“Firstly, it hasn’t happened yet, let’s be honest, it is just speculation. In another way, when you were doing a contract with him, you would certainly have something in place where he has to hit a certain number of appearances before you would reach a certain financial level.
“If that were in place, I would be comfortable with him being in the squad, because I think he’s got talent, I think we all know that. When he’s on his game, he’s as good as any striker in the Premier League, so if the contract was fixed in terms of financial reward, such as if he plays 10 games, it goes up, and so on.
“I think he would be tempted by Man United, I think he likes his ego, and that move works for him, it works for his image, it could be a win. I wouldn’t say it’s a total downer, but if you’re a United fan and think Gyokeres is going to come through the door and work with Amorim as they worked so well at Sporting, that looks like it’s gone.
“But actually, on their day, there is not much between them. If Calvin has a day and Gyokeres has a day, they are very similar. But it is the consistency level of Calvin and the fact that he’s not on the pitch often that is the big problem with him.”
In some ways, Pardew is correct, with Calvert-Lewin once very highly rated. This included praise by some legendary managers, with Carlo Ancelotti speaking very highly about Calvert-Lewin.
Meanwhile, few have been overly confident about Gyokeres fixing United’s problems.
Rio Ferdinand also didn’t rate Viktor Gyokeres all that highly
With Pardew not convinced over Gyokeres, it is worth remembering that Rio Ferdinand also didn’t think that the Swede was cut out for the Premier League.
Ferdinand had major doubts when United were linked with Gyokeres and they remained prominent among the fanbase, which makes it far from a fatal blow to miss out on the Sporting CP star.
“I don’t think he’s the guy for Manchester United. I’ve watched him loads, I’ve watched him maybe three times really, really closely, and three times I’ve gone [shakes his head].
“He ain’t getting those opportunities in the Premier League. When I see him physically matched, I don’t see what else is there? That’s the question I am asking, is there enough after he’s physically matched to be able to get him a goal?”
These two verdicts on Gyokeres combined prove United can do better for less, although whether Calvert-Lewin is the one to fix the issues remains to be seen.
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