Manchester United and Arsenal have been told that Viktor Gyokeres is a “better version” of Erling Haaland, a very good Manchester City forward.

In the last five years, Haaland has scored more goals than anyone else in Europe. He has scored an amazing 104 goals in 113 games for City since coming from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

If he stays at The Etihad and keeps scoring like this, Haaland is on track to break Alan Shearer’s mark of 260 goals scored in the Premier League.

Rafael van der Vaart, a former playmaker for Tottenham and the Netherlands, thinks Gyokeres has “a bit more” to his game than the Norwegian. On Tuesday night in the Champions League, Gyokeres showed that he agrees.

Some of the biggest teams in Europe are interested in Gyokeres because of how well he has been playing for Sporting Lisbon. He has scored 62 goals in 66 games, which is amazing.

The 26-year-old striker, who used to play for Coventry City, scored 29 goals last season to help Sporting win the Portuguese title under new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. Because of this, he has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford. Arsenal and Liverpool are also said to be interested in the player, though.

In an interview with Ziggo Sport, Van der Vaart said, “It sounds a little crazy, but I think he’s a bit better than Haaland.”

“of course Haaland is great, but Gyokeres has a little more, or something.”

Gyokeres coy on Man Utd links

AC Milan legend Marco van Basten is another big fan of the United target, explaining the attributes that make Gyokeres such a special talent.

The Dutchman added: “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 13 of his 15 appearances for Sporting this season and netted four times in his last league outing against Estrela Amadora as well as upstaging Haaland as he scored a hat-trick in Sporting’s 4-1 thumping of City in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

However, the Swede has distanced himself from the possibility that 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.”

INEOS signed Joshua Zirkzee for Manchester United even though Erik ten Hag expressed concern about the striker over the summer, according to a damning report.

The Sun claim Ten Hag was ‘unhappy’ with the signing of Zirkzee as the former Bologna man was not his choice of striker to complement Rasmus Hojlund. The Dutch manager wanted a more experienced option to help Hojlund out, such as Ivan Toney, but those above him at Old Trafford did not listen to these demands.

Meanwhile, United are reported to have submitted an offer to Barcelona in a bid to make Andreas Christensen the first signing of the Ruben Amorim era – and a second defensive addition could soon be set to follow as a double €35m deal gathers pace.