Rising through the ranks, way back in 2002, a certain boy from Madeira made his first appearance for Sporting Lisbon – Cristiano Ronaldo. Soon, he took the football world by storm. Fast forward 22 years, another forward is making waves at the same club –Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres.
The 26-year-old Swedish striker grabs headlines regularly, thanks to his remarkable scoring record for Sporting Lisbon. His numbers in the Green and White jersey are astounding – in 68 appearances he has scored 66 goals and contributed 19 assists.
Gyokeres arrived at Sporting’s Estádio José Alvalade last season from Coventry City, then in the EFL Championship, at a club-record fee of £20 million plus £4 million in bonuses. His contract came with a substantial £100 million release clause, likely deterring an immediate Premier League move despite his incredible debut season, where he scored 43 goals and played a pivotal role in Sporting’s 2023 league-winning campaign.
As the winter transfer window approaches, rumours abound Gyokeres might reunite with his former manager Ruben Amorim, who recently took over the reins at Manchester United. A transfer to Old Trafford would set up an enticing Scandinavian showdown with Erling Haaland at Manchester City. Despite City’s struggles in maintaining form this season, a Gyokeres-Haaland rivalry could be one for the ages.
⚽ 26 golos
👟 10 assistências
⛳ 28 jogos@viktor_gyokeres 🇸🇪 soma e segue 👏 pic.twitter.com/gZMpRV9I6Y— Sporting CP (@SportingCP) February 8, 2024
Gyokeres has already demonstrated his mettle in the UEFA Champions League, where Sporting trounced Manchester City 4-1, with Gyokeres himself netting a hat-trick. This performance brought him into the global spotlight, sparking a sharp rise in his social media following. It was a definitive statement he could score against Europe’s elite clubs.
However, Gyokeres’s journey has not always been straightforward. He started at Swedish club Brommapojkarna before joining Brighton and Hove Albion’s U23 side. An underwhelming stint with Brighton led to loans, first to Germany’s St. Pauli and then back to England with Swansea City, before finally landing at Coventry. In the Championship, he was a consistent performer, though his dream of reaching the Premier League with Coventry was dashed in a playoff final loss. But his subsequent move to Portugal proved transformative.
Under Amorim’s guidance at Sporting, Gyokeres rediscovered his groove and became prolific. Known for his physicality and imposing build, he bulldozes the rival defences and has an exceptional scoring rate. He also plays a crucial role in creating opportunities, with an impressive tally of assists.
With Amorim now at Manchester United, it seems inevitable that Gyokeres will be on the club’s radar when he becomes available. Currently, his £100 million release clause, valid until 2028, might be a sticking point, though reports suggest he could be acquired for a reduced fee, around £65 million. Yet even that “bargain” figure may be optimistic.
The Swedish star is expected to finish this season with Sporting. Whether he will stay beyond that is an open question. Sporting’s President, Frederico Varandas, recently stated, “If a club is willing to pay the release clause and he wants to go, he’ll go,” adding, “But I do not think this will happen in January.”
Whether Manchester United will secure Gyokeres next season is something fans must wait to discover. If it happens, it will be similar to famous Ronaldo transfer from Sporting to United under Sir Alex Ferguson – a deal football romantics remember well.
