The Swede enjoyed a remarkable season in front of goal for the Portuguese giants last term, plundering 43 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions as he helped his side clinch their 20th league title. Gyokeres only joined Sporting 12 months ago, but his form in 2023-24 could see him on the move once again.
And with interest from the likes of Liverpool this summer, it would be no surprise. However, amid speculation surrounding the former Brighton forward with a move to Anfield, the 26-year-old has already been given a clear transfer instruction.
Sporting Lisbon legend Manuel Fernandes, an icon in Portugal who passed away last week, said back in January that he would rather see Gyokeres sign for Liverpool than any other Premier League suitor. Speaking to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Fernandes said: “If you have to leave, let it be to a big club, like Liverpool or Bayern Munich.
“For example, Liverpool have players there who are not half as good as Gyokeres. I see him, for example, at the level of Bayern Munich, but for now, let him stay. It is clear that he feels good at Sporting. He is a very serious and focused player.”
Gyokeres signed a five-year contract with Sporting last summer for a club record transfer fee of $21.7million (£16.9million/€20million) plus $4.3m (£3.3m/€4m) in bonuses from Championship side Coventry City, following an impressive two seasons with The Sky Blues.
Viktor Gyokeres was on fire for Sporting Lisbon last season
Having initially joined the club on loan for the second half of the 2020-21 campaign, the transfer was made permanent ahead of the following season, with the Swede going on to bag 17 goals in 45 games. In 2022-23, Gyokeres added another 21 goals to his record as Coventry narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League.
Having established himself as one of the best strikers outside the top flight, Gyokeres then established himself as one of the best in Europe following a lethal campaign in front of goal in his debut season with Sporting, racking up 43 goals and 15 assists in all competitions.
His efforts up front earned him the Primeira Liga Golden Boot and a place in the Team of the Year, as well as five Player of the Month and Forward of the Month awards as Sporting were crowned Portuguese champions by 10 points. On the international stage, Gyokeres has six goals in 20 games for Sweden.
Following his dramatic rise over the last 12 months, the Swede now boasts an eye-watering $108m (£86m/€100m) release clause at the Primeira Liga leaders. The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have all also registered their interest in signing the player, according to Football Insider, meaning Liverpool has stiff competition.
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