Troy Deeney: Viktor Gyokeres is not a natural finisher and will be found out by Arsenal or Manchester United

Viktor Gyokeres could be the leading goalscorer in 2024 – but Arsenal and Manchester United should steer clear of him.

This is the opinion of ex-Watford striker Troy Deeney, who believes that the Swedish shooter would not win either of the two teams the Premier League.

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Gyokeres has established himself as one of Europe’s most lethal strikers since swapping Coventry for Sporting Lisbon in 2023.

His first season in Portugal saw him score 43 goals in all competitions – firing Sporting to their first league title in three years.

And he has continued his fine form into this campaign, chipping in with 25 goals in all competitions.

He has also found the back of the net ten times for Sweden in 2024, bringing his total to 60.

That is 12 more than nearest rival Erling Haaland, who has scored 48 goals for Manchester City and Norway.

After establishing himself as a goalscoring machine, Gyokeres has been heavily tipped to leave the Estadio Jose Alvalade in 2025.

The 26-year-old boasts an £85m release clause in his contract, although it is believed Sporting could allow him to leave for around £60m.

United are reported to be just one interested party, with a move to Old Trafford to reunite the striker with former boss Ruben Amorim.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are known to be admirers of the former Brighton man as Mikel Arteta looks set to bring competition for Kai Havertz.

But both the Red Devils and the Gunners have been warned by Deeney that Gyokeres is not the right player for them.

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Speaking to talkSPORT.com, Deeney was asked which of Arsenal or United would be a better fit for the player.

To which he acknowledged that what he was about to say may seem controversial to some.

He said: “You know when you say something, the clip comes back in six months.

“I really think he’s a good football player, he works really hard, all that.

“But I don’t think he’s a natural finisher.

“And again, everybody’s going to bring up his goalscoring record, I get that.

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“But I don’t think he’ll take either of those two to win the Premier League.

“That’s just my opinion and if he did they would have already bought him.”

And Deeney believes Gyokeres’ output would not be what it is in Portugal if he links up with a top team.

The former Birmingham striker compared the player to Darwin Nunez, who scored 34 goals in his final year at Benfica before joining Liverpool in 2022.

In his third season in the Premier League, Nunez has yet to score more than 11 league goals.

Discussing the quality in Portugal, he noted: “It’s not the same league (as the English top flight).

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“And we’ll find out when Gyokeres comes by.”

Arsenal fans – and Arteta – got a first-hand look at Gyokeres last month in the club’s Champions League encounter at Sporting.

Gyokeres hit the post late in the encounter but was powerless to prevent his side from losing 5-1.

Although he showed his class against Manchester City in early November – he scored a hat-trick in a famous 4-1 win.

If Gyokeres continues his hot streak, it is surely only a matter of time before the player tests himself in the Premier League.

And only then will we see if Deeney gets the last laugh or is forced to eat humble pie.