Paul Merson left perplexed by Manchester United’s pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres

Paul Merson has cast doubt on Manchester United's reported interest in Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres, suggesting that the forward was not highly sought after during his time at Coventry.

Gyokeres set the Portuguese top flight alight across a magnificent debut season in Lisbon last term, racking up 29 goals and ten assists to help Sporting win a 20th league title.

The prolific 26-year-old has picked up where he left off this season, netting 20 in all competitions, with heavyweight clubs from across Europe believed to be keeping tabs on his performances.

Arsenal and Chelsea have both been credited with a strong interest in Gyokeres and Ruben Amorim’s impending switch to United has fuelled speculation that the attacker could follow suit when the January transfer window opens for business.

But ex-Arsenal and Aston Villa midfielder Merson believes the Red Devils would be taking an almighty gamble by signing Gyokeres given the Swede is yet to prove himself in an elite league.

‘I was in Portugal last year and they speak very highly of Ruben Amorim,’ Merson wrote in his Sportskeeda column.

‘He’s a good manager but what he’s done there in Portugal, it’s a three-team league at the end of the day. This will be a completely different challenge.

‘Now they’re talking of bringing Viktor Gyokeres in. 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.’

An inspired Gyokeres came away with the man-of-the-match award after scoring four goals in Sporting’s 5-1 victory over Estrela.

Facing the media after Friday’s one-sided match, the Sweden international distanced himself from speculation of a potential transfer move to Old Trafford.

‘Going with Amorim to Manchester United? I don’t know,’ Gyokeres replied when asked about the possibility of following Amorim to the Theatre of Dreams.

‘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.’

Potential suitors were said to have been put off by Gyokeres’ eye-watering €100million (£84m) release clause in the summer transfer window.

However, it’s understood that Gyokeres has an agreement in place with Sporting which could see the striker leave for as little as £50-58m this winter.

The former Coventry man’s current contract in Lisbon runs through to 2028.

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