Rio Ferdinand tells Viktor Gyokeres to reunite with Ruben Amorim at Man United

Rio Ferdinand has revealed what it will take for Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres to reach the 'top tier' of strikers. He urged new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim to sign the in-demand striker.

The Swede, who has scored 23 goals in 18 appearances for Sporting this season, has become one of Europe's most sought-after stars following his exploits in Portugal.

Amorim spent four years at Sporting and helped Gyokeres become one of the best strikers in the world before leaving for United.

Rumors have been swirling about a possible reunion between the two at Old Trafford and former Red Devils defender Ferdinand has insisted this would happen.

Speaking ahead of Sporting's match against Arsenal on TNT Sports, Ferdinand said: 'I wouldn't put him in the top flight yet because he hasn't done that yet in a top competition.

'With all due respect: the Portuguese competition is a very good competition, but not a top competition.

'If he signs for a team in the Premier League, he will have to prove who he is, reshape himself and present himself to everyone under that spotlight and say: this is who I am.

'If he wants to win, he'll go to Manchester United… I'm joking! The most important point is that he knows the manager.

'For a transition to another league, you go with someone who knows his game perfectly and can get the best out of you – and he has proven he can do that elsewhere – and you go somewhere where he is rebuilding and you' If you're part of that process with him, he'll lick his lips at something like that.”

Gyokeres was excellent for Amorim in just over a season together at Sporting and a move to one of Europe's top five leagues seems inevitable.

He has scored 16 goals in just 11 Primeira Liga games this season, five in four in the Champions League, a few more in the Portuguese Cups and nine in six (plus four assists) in the Nations League for Sweden, where he is a potentially formidable opponent. collaboration with Alexander Isak.

Gyokeres' overall record for Sporting is 67 in 69 games, plus 19 assists. His goal celebration, in which he covers half his face with his hands to resemble a mask, has fans copying him everywhere and debating its origins.

Ferdinand added: “He has speed and speed scares defenders. He is a willing runner and he shows that very well.

“His willingness to run into these (wide) areas, they're tough areas. There he does his dirty work: shoulder to shoulder he is aggressive. He understands how to use his body, makes the defender bounce… knows where the goal is.

'Absolute understanding of the space, defenders asking if you want to come out. He doesn't stand still, identifies where the danger may be and goes out. He has the quality. Without quality you won't score goals anywhere in the world.'

However, earlier this month the player himself shut down speculation and stressed that there have been no talks yet to finalize a deal.

“He probably already has some attackers there, so we'll see,” the striker told Fotboll Skanaal. 'No, he hasn't [asked me to join him]. It's nice, but I don't attach any importance to it because it's talk and nothing concrete.'

He added via Fabrizio Romano: 'I want to finish this season at Sporting. I love it here. We'll see [about a new club] when the time comes. I want to play, that's crucial, and there will be other factors too.'