Viktor Gyokeres fuels Man United curiosity as he opens up on his Premier League need – as Ruben Amorim eyes reunion with Sporting hitman

Viktor Gyokeres has fuelled speculation that he could be reunited with Ruben Amorim at Manchester United after admitting it is his ambition to play in the Premier League.

The Sweden international has starred at Sporting since moving to Portugal and is currently Europe’s most prolific goalscorer this season with 18 goals in all competitions.

Amorim’s arrival as the newly-appointed United head coach in November saw the 39-year-old take over a squad left amid chaos by Erik ten Hag and is still assessing the need for new recruitments.

His transformation project that has seen Amorim turn Gyokeres – formerly of Coventry – into one of Europe’s best goalscorers has seen United fans call for the striker to move to Old Trafford in the summer.

Amorim has denied suggestions that he will launch a raid on his former club in the short-term for Gyokeres, but the player has since outlined how he has always wanted to play in England’s top-flight.

The 26-year-old previously left Championship outfit Coventry last year in a £20m deal following the club’s defeat in the second division play-off final against Luton.

Viktor Gyokeres has fuelled speculation that he could be reunited with Ruben Amorim at Manchester United

Amorim (middle) got the best out of Gyokeres during the pair’s time together at Sporting Lisbon

He delivered an immediate return on Sporting’s record investment by spearheading the club’s charge to a first league title under Amorim and is now being targeted by United, Arsenal and other top European clubs.

Revealing his aim to one day return to England, Gyokeres told Swedish Daily: ‘Of course it [moving to Sporting] was different, because I had the goal of playing in the Premier League.

‘That was my focus and the adjustment was difficult… but I thought about it, I talked to those around me who helped me a lot.

‘It started to look more and more like it was the right thing to do: play in a top team and have more chances during games.

Gyokeres is Europe’s most prolific goalscorer this season with 18 goals in all competitions

United’s No 9 Rasmus Hojlund (right) is doing his best to prove to Amorim that a new striker isn’t needed

‘In the end, it seems like it was the best choice for me,’ the centre forward added.

Should United press ahead with their pursuit of Gyokeres then it is expected they will have to pay at least £70m to secure his signature.

The move could be funded by selling players deemed surplus to requirements who could leave for as little as £40m after publicly declaring his interest to depart Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, United’s No 9 Rasmus Hojlund is doing his best to prove to Amorim that a new striker isn’t needed and has impressed at the start of his second season at the club with seven goals in 18 appearances across all competitions.