Liverpool boss Arne Slot is continuing to look for a new striker in the transfer market, despite spending almost £200million this summer already - and the Dutchman must sign Viktor Gyokeres if he is to race ahead in the battle for the Premier League to link up with assist kings Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah.
39 goals in just 33 Primeira Liga games for Sporting means that Gyokeres is currently one of the hottest properties in the transfer market, being in the form of his life - and a move away looks imminent, with club president Frederico Varandas claiming that Gyokeres will move on in the coming months.
Report: Liverpool 'Join Race' to Sign Viktor Gyokeres
The Reds want a talisman to complete Arne Slot's wishes
viktoy gyokeres
However, a report from Portuguese outlet Correio Da Manha earlier in the week claimed that the Reds had joined fellow Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United in the race to sign Gyokeres, having made late contact with Sporting in a potential bid to boost their striking ranks.
Arsenal, and in particular United - who boast Gyokeres' former boss Ruben Amorim in the dugout - have been touted for a move to bring the Swedish star to the Premier League after his outstanding spell in Portugal. But Liverpool have now joined the race and Sporting could be open to a sale for around £68million for their in-demand talisman, who has been labelled as the 'best striker in the world'.
Viktor Gyokeres' Primeira Liga statistics - Sporting squad ranking
Stats
Appearances
Goals
Key Passes Per Game
Shots Per Game
Dribbles Per Game
Match rating
It's a deal that makes a lot of sense for Liverpool transfer chief Richard Hughes to complete. Darwin Nunez hasn't exactly been firing on all cylinders ever since his Primeira Liga departure, starting just eight games under Slot in the Premier League last season despite the Reds winning the title, and Diogo Jota was hardly much more prolific as he grabbed just six goals in the Premier League after missing a decent portion of the season with muscle injuries.
Victor Osimhen, Hugo Ekitike and Julian Alvarez have all been linked with a move to Merseyside, with Gyokeres looking as though he'd be moving to one of the other two red-shirted Premier League giants. But after failing to land Alexander Isak, Gyokeres would represent a more like-for-like option with his compatriot, which Slot could opt for to deliver almost certain goals for his club.
Salah and Wirtz Would be Dream Gyokeres Partners
The assist heroes would supply the Swede with chances galore
Viktor Gyokeres celebrating after scoring for Sporting
Amorim's system at Sporting saw Gyokeres become the focal point of his team, being set up to supply strikers with chances - and with Salah, Wirtz and Luis Diaz all potentially providing Gyokeres with chances, it's hard to imagine him not becoming one of the Premier League's most consistent strikers should he make the move to Anfield under Slot.
Wirtz notched 32 assists in all competitions over the past two years for Bayer Leverkusen, whilst Salah went one gear further with an unbelievable 37 - and that service into Gyokeres' feet would be admirable in the top-flight.
Always playing on the front foot, and with attacking talent that is arguably unrivalled in world football, Gyokeres would have chances to feed off throughout the season where he could hit the ground running - especially with the recent additions of full-back duo Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, who will burst down the flanks to provide crossing opportunities.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored. Correct as of 29-06-25.
Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres celebrating Related
Viktor Gyokeres makes Man United transfer U-turn
According to reports, Manchester United are reportedly in pole position to land Viktor Gyokeres after the Sporting CP striker U-turned on his preference to join Arsenal this summer. The Sweden international is expected to leave Portugal this summer and is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between two of the biggest Premier League teams. It was reported earlier this month that Gyokeres had rejected the Red Devils and a reunion with former Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim. However, Arsenal's continued pursuit of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig has forced a change of heart - and Manchester United may now be front-runners for his signature. Gyokeres is desperate to test himself in one of Europe's biggest leagues and has highlighted his frustration at Sporting, after insisting they went back on their word to sell him for £59 million.
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