Erling Haaland is usually the kind of bona fide superstar that catches Real Madrid’s eye in the transfer market.
In March, Haaland confirmed he is “really happy” at Manchester City after questions were posed about his future.
It was also reported in February that Haaland’s entourage “laughed” off the links to Real Madrid — as he seems to perpetually be linked with a move to Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Haaland’s spell in England has been nothing short of a fairytale — winning two Premier League titles, a Champions League when he won the treble, the FA Cup, a Carabao Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup in two full seasons.
At Manchester City, the 24-year-old has established his presence as one of the standout players in the world as well.
Last month, it was claimed that Haaland is set to extend his contract at Manchester City beyond 2027 as well.
Hugo Viana identifies Gyokeres as Haaland heir if he signs for Real Madrid
Once Hugo Viana replaces sporting director Txiki Begiristain at Manchester City, the assumption from many would have been that he would not have to handle the nigh-on impossible task of scouring for an heir to the star striker.
The former Borussia Dortmund goalscorer has shown no signs of potentially flirting with a move away from the Etihad Stadium.
However, as per a report by Sky Switzerland, Hugo Viana has identified Sporting CP marksman Viktor Gyokeres as the long-term heir to Haaland and has already contacted his entourage.
The Leeds-born frontman is believed to have informed his entourage of his wish to sign for Real Madrid in the near future; a dream Florentino Perez is also believed to share in common with him.
As a result, Hugo Viana has earmarked Gyokeres as “the backbone of his Manchester City project” and has made his signing a “priority.”
The Swedish international is also not expected to play his football in Portugal in the long run.
However, Sporting president Federico Varandas has made it abundantly clear that Hugo Viana will not be given the chance to handpick their players to bring to the Premier League winners.
With that being the case, City will be demanded to pay a whopping €100 million (£83 million) to secure Gyokeres’ services.
Gyokeres stats this season after latest Champions League masterclass
The 26-year-old was named the Man of the Match in Sporting’s 2-0 win against SK Sturm Graz in the Champions League.
The former Coventry hitman scored a remarkable solo goal to double the Portuguese giants’ lead after Nuno Santos’ opener in the first half.
Since signing for Ruben Amorim’s side, Gyokeres has been an absolute revelation. Here are the in-demand striker’s statistics this season that justify why he is lauded by fans and pundits alike.
| VIKTOR GYOKERES STATS FOR SPORTING CP | |||
| COMPETITION | GAMES | GOALS | ASSISTS |
| LIGA PORTUGAL | 8 | 11 | 1 |
| CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| TACA DE PORTUGAL | 1 | – | 1 |
In 12 games this campaign, Gyokeres has 13 goals and three assists.
Whether Haaland signs for Real Madrid in the future and Hugo Viana tries his best to persuade the in-form goalscorer to join Manchester City is a prospect only time will reveal.
But the evidence suggests that Gyokeres is one of the best strikers in Europe.
If he does look for a way out of Sporting, the Stockholm-born number nine would have several top clubs, potentially even Manchester City knocking on his door to secure his services.
