Man United director was responsible for selling £84m Viktor Gyokeres for just £1m
One topic could lead to an awkward conversation between Ruben Amorim and Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth. The Portuguese manager bid the perfect farewell to Sporting Lisbon before leaving to take charge of the Red Devils, as his side thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday. Viktor Gyokeres was the difference as Sporting prevailed against the Premier League championsAFP Victory was due in no small part to lethal striker Viktor Gyokeres, who netted a hat-trick to cancel out Phil Foden‘s fourth minute opener. With Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford fast approaching, there has been plenty of speculation over whether he could look to bring the in-demand Swede with him over the next year. And should he try to do so, the first person he will have to approach is United chief Ashworth, who is already very familiar with Gyokeres. That’s because just three years ago, the Red Devils‘ director played a major role in selling the goalscorer for a fee of just £1million. In 2021, whilst technical director at Brighton, Ashworth sanctioned a deal for Gyokeres to join Coventry from the Seagulls for the modest figure. Admittedly, few could have predicted how things would turn out. At the time of his departure, the Sweden international had failed to make a single Premier League appearance at the Amex, having been shipped out on loan three times in as many years. The last of these spells came at Coventry, where he went on to become a sensation after signing permanently. Gyokeres scored 40 times in 97 games for the Sky Blues, before joining Sporting in July 2023 in a deal worth up to €24m [£20m], where his career has since skyrocketed. Last season, the 26-year-old netted a staggering 43 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions, winning the league title and Golden Boot. Dan Ashworth, right, helped United to secure £178m worth of talent in the summer transfer windowGetty But he sold Gyokeres to Coventry City for a modest feeGetty Amorim was given a rousing send-off by Gyokeres and his Sporting teammates after his final match in chargeGetty He has started this campaign in similarly devastating form, with 16 strikes in just 10 Primeira Liga outings. Gyokeres’ debut among Europe’s elite has been equally impressive, with his treble against City taking his Champions League total to five goals so far. His incredible numbers have seen him linked with a move to a major European club, with the striker believed to have a £84m release clause. Despite this, it has previously been claimed that the Portuguese outfit will be prepared to sell for less than this next summer. Arsenal were previously touted as potential suitors, but Amorim’s new job has now led many to tip Gyokeres for a Red Devils switch. Despite this, the incoming Man United head coach refused to entertain any talk of a potential Old Trafford reunion. When asked if the Sporting star would be joining him in Manchester after victory over Man City, Amorim told TNT Sports: “No, no, no, no. I cannot be funny with that in this moment. Amorim was presented with a touching canvas tribute prior to his final match in chargeGetty “It is stuff for me to leave if I’m joking about Gyokeres, I will have problems. This is my city, this is my country, so I will respect. “Viktor has to stay until the end of the season and then it’s his life is, maybe, going to someone else.” Gyokeres also appeared fully focused on the future with his current club, as he paid tribute to Amorim after his heroics against City. He told UEFA: “We will miss him a lot. “We’ve done amazing things together. We will miss him and the other guys in the staff who will leave. We have to look forward and attack the next challenge ahead of us.”
One topic could lead to an awkward conversation between Ruben Amorim and Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth.
The Portuguese manager bid the perfect farewell to Sporting Lisbon before leaving to take charge of the Red Devils, as his side thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Victory was due in no small part to lethal striker Viktor Gyokeres, who netted a hat-trick to cancel out Phil Foden‘s fourth minute opener.
With Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford fast approaching, there has been plenty of speculation over whether he could look to bring the in-demand Swede with him over the next year.
And should he try to do so, the first person he will have to approach is United chief Ashworth, who is already very familiar with Gyokeres.
That’s because just three years ago, the Red Devils‘ director played a major role in selling the goalscorer for a fee of just £1million.
In 2021, whilst technical director at Brighton, Ashworth sanctioned a deal for Gyokeres to join Coventry from the Seagulls for the modest figure.
Admittedly, few could have predicted how things would turn out.
At the time of his departure, the Sweden international had failed to make a single Premier League appearance at the Amex, having been shipped out on loan three times in as many years.
The last of these spells came at Coventry, where he went on to become a sensation after signing permanently.
Gyokeres scored 40 times in 97 games for the Sky Blues, before joining Sporting in July 2023 in a deal worth up to €24m [£20m], where his career has since skyrocketed.
Last season, the 26-year-old netted a staggering 43 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions, winning the league title and Golden Boot.
He has started this campaign in similarly devastating form, with 16 strikes in just 10 Primeira Liga outings.
Gyokeres’ debut among Europe’s elite has been equally impressive, with his treble against City taking his Champions League total to five goals so far.
His incredible numbers have seen him linked with a move to a major European club, with the striker believed to have a £84m release clause.
Despite this, it has previously been claimed that the Portuguese outfit will be prepared to sell for less than this next summer.
Arsenal were previously touted as potential suitors, but Amorim’s new job has now led many to tip Gyokeres for a Red Devils switch.
Despite this, the incoming Man United head coach refused to entertain any talk of a potential Old Trafford reunion.
When asked if the Sporting star would be joining him in Manchester after victory over Man City, Amorim told TNT Sports: “No, no, no, no. I cannot be funny with that in this moment.
“It is stuff for me to leave if I’m joking about Gyokeres, I will have problems. This is my city, this is my country, so I will respect.
“Viktor has to stay until the end of the season and then it’s his life is, maybe, going to someone else.”
Gyokeres also appeared fully focused on the future with his current club, as he paid tribute to Amorim after his heroics against City.
He told UEFA: “We will miss him a lot.
“We’ve done amazing things together. We will miss him and the other guys in the staff who will leave. We have to look forward and attack the next challenge ahead of us.”
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