Gyokeres next? The best Premier League transfers from Portugal | OneFootball

Viktor Gyokeres has completed his transfer from Sporting Lisbon to Arsenal, though the naysayers have been quick to question whether his goal record in Portugal can be replicated in the Premier League.

Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting over the last two seasons and will now be tasked with firing Arsenal to Premier League success. Having never previously played in a top-five league before, some have question marks over the Swedish striker.

However, there have been plenty of success stories when it comes to Premier League signings from Portuguese football.

The best Portugal to Premier League transfers

Cristiano Ronaldo – Sporting to Manchester United (2003)

The biggest success story when it comes to Primeira Liga imports. Cristiano Ronaldo’s dazzling performance in a pre-season friendly against Manchester United saw Sir Alex Ferguson snap up the Sporting teenager in 2003.

Across six seasons at Old Trafford, Ronaldo evolved from a frustrating flair player to a world-class superstar. He won three consecutive league titles with the Red Devils between 2007 and 2008, the second of which came alongside Champions League success.

That season saw Ronaldo score 42 goals in all competitions to become only the second Ballon d’Or winner of the Premier League era.

He departed for Real Madrid in an £80m world-record deal in 2009, having scored 118 goals in 292 games during his first spell with the club.

Ricardo Carvalho – FC Porto to Chelsea (2004)

Jose Mourinho waltzed in the door at Chelsea in 2004, fresh from leading Porto to a shock Champions League success. The ‘Special One’ quickly chose to reunite with Ricardo Carvalho, agreeing on a deal to bring the centre-back to England.

Carvalho formed a formidable partnership with John Terry as Chelsea won back-to-back league titles, the first achieved with a record low of just 15 goals conceded.

Carvalho spent six seasons with Chelsea and won eight major honours, including three Premier League titles.

Iconic Duos: Chelsea’s impregnable pairing made of steel and silk, Terry and Carvalho

Nemanja Matic – Benfica to Chelsea (2014)

Having first allowed Nemanja Matic to leave for Benfica as part of the deal to sign David Luiz, Chelsea re-signed the midfielder in January 2014. Three seasons in Portugal had seen Matic develop into an elite talent, and his impact was almost immediate.

Matic was a key part of Chelsea’s 2014/15 title success in his first full season, earning inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year. He won a second title in 2017, powering Antonio Conte’s team to the championship alongside N’Golo Kante.

Ederson – Benfica to Manchester City (2017)

Manchester City made Ederson the second-most expensive goalkeeper ever at the time of his £35m arrival from Benfica in 2017. Pep Guardiola had sought a goalkeeper comfortable with the ball at his feet, a phrase that undersells Ederson’s ability.

The Brazilian has revolutionised goalkeeping distribution during his time at the Etihad, with ease in possession and long pinpoint passes forward.

He’s been a central part of the club’s most successful era, with his 18 trophies including six league titles and the Champions League.

Bruno Fernandes – Sporting to Manchester United (2020)

Rarely has a new signing made such an instant impact. Bruno Fernandes joined a struggling Manchester United side in January 2020 and helped inspire the side to Champions League qualification.

It’s been a familiar theme during his time in England, with Fernandes so often a rare positive in a challenging period.

Even during last season’s struggles, Fernandes created more chances (91) and played more line-breaking passes (89) than any other player in the Premier League.

He’s scored 98 goals in 280 games for the club and has been named Manchester United Player of the Year a joint-record four times.

Ruben Dias – Benfica to Manchester City (2020)

In search of a successor to Vincent Kompany, Manchester City signed Ruben Dias from Benfica in 2020. The Portugal international wasted no time in tightening up the club’s defence as Pep Guardiola’s side regained the Premier League title in his debut season.

Dias was named FWA Footballer of the Year for his performances and has since lifted three further titles and the Champions League among his honours.

Luis Diaz – FC Porto to Liverpool (2022)

It’s often said there’s no value in the January transfer window, but that’s not always the case. Luis Diaz signed for Liverpool in the 2022 winter window and enjoyed an electric start to his time at Anfield.

The Colombian helped the Reds to FA Cup and League Cup success in his first six months and added the Premier League title in 2024/25. A livewire presence in the final third, he scored 13 league goals during that latter triumph.

João Palhinha – Sporting to Fulham (2022)

João Palhinha’s presence was unmissable at Fulham following his arrival from Sporting Lisbon. The midfield enforcer arrived in a £20m deal in 2022 and spent two seasons disrupting opposition sides.

Palhinha led the Premier League for tackles won in consecutive campaigns before leaving for Bayern Munich in 2024.

His sale banked Fulham a sizeable profit, more than doubling their initial investment.

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