Michael Dawson has praised Leeds United transfer target Viktor Gyokeres for causing ‘problems’ as Coventry City hosted Birmingham City.
The Sky Blues welcomed the Blues to the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday for a Championship contest. Mark Robins’ men remain in the mix for a play-off finish.
Birmingham started the day in the ascendency but soon found themselves one goal behind through Josh Eccles (3’). While Gyokeres (42’) would add a second from the penalty spot.
Birmingham struggled to handle Leeds transfer target Gyokeres
Gyokeres’ effort from the spot was the 24-year-old’s 21st goal in the second-tier so far this season from 45 appearances.
He also entered the weekend with nine assists and the Sweden international continued to influence Coventry’s attack as Eccles struck.
Coventry played a hopeful ball upfield to relieve some of Birmingham’s early pressure. But Gyokeres took advantage of some lax defending to free his teammate.
Birmingham let the ball bounce to their peril as Gyokeres chased his own flick-on down the left-hand channel.
Gyokeres shaped as if he was intending to shoot after cutting inside only to play the ball to Eccles on the edge of the area. His strike took a slight deflection in off Kevin Long.
The Coventry star showed what Leeds could be set to target
Gyokeres’ work for Eccles’ goal left Dawson singing the striker’s praises after reports Leeds are scouting the 13-cap Swede in view of a summer transfer.
“To be fair to Birmingham, they’ve probably started the better of the two teams,” Dawson said on Sky Sports News (29/4, 15:07). “But when you’ve got Viktor Gyokeres in your team, who can cause problems, that’s what happens.”
The Daily Mail reported that Leeds scouted Gyokeres as Coventry drew 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers earlier this month.
Gyokeres also had admirers from LOSC Lille and Eintracht Frankfurt in the stands beside the Whites’ talent spotters.
Leeds have long had their eyes on Gyokeres’ form at Coventry in view of his transfer. 90min also cited them as a suitor in March with Brentford, Crystal Palace, Everton and Leicester.
Additionally, it noted that Coventry value Gyokeres at £20m despite the former Brighton & Hove Albion prospect’s contract only running to June 2024.
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