Ranking the five favourites to sign Viktor Gyokeres | OneFootball

Viktor Gyokeres is set to dominate the headlines during the summer transfer window with Europe’s top clubs queuing up to sign the Sporting Lisbon striker.

Gyokeres has had a sensational season since signing for Sporting from Coventry City and recently passed the 40-goal mark in all competitions. The Swedish striker’s goal return has helped Sporting to the top of the Primeira Liga and could result in huge bids for his services at the end of the campaign.

With a release clause of €100m (£85m) in his contract in Portugal, he could land Sporting a giant profit if sold on.

We’ve looked at the five favourites to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer.

Manchester City – 12/1

Manchester City are priced as fifth-favourites to sign Gyokeres, ahead of cross-town rivals Manchester United (16/1). Though centre-forward does not appear an imminent need for the Citizens, the Premier League champions are one of the few teams in world football capable of meeting the 25-year-old’s release clause.

His arrival at the Etihad would open up the prospect of an all-star Scandinavian strikeforce, with Erling Haaland the resident goal-getter in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Real Madrid – 8/1

Real Madrid are in the market for a centre-forward this summer with the Spanish giants having failed to sign a long-term replacement for Karim Benzema. The loan arrival of Joselu from Espanyol has proven to be a stop-gap, following Benzema’s departure to the Saudi Pro League last summer.

However, Kylian Mbappe looks the likely replacement having confirmed he will leave Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer at the end of the season. Real Madrid are expected to finalise his signing after a long-term pursuit of the France captain.

Liverpool – 6/1

Liverpool’s title challenge has faltered in recent weeks and the Reds are set for a new direction in the summer as Jurgen Klopp steps down at Anfield. Arne Slot has agreed on a deal to take charge of the Merseysiders, having impressed the Liverpool hierarchy with his achievements at AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.

Centre-forward could be an area of focus for the summer transfer window, with speculation surrounding Mohamed Salah’s future and both Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez having been hit and miss since arriving in the Premier League.

The latter’s erratic finishing has been a particular concern, underperforming his xG by a considerable margin (-6.84). Luis Diaz (-4.28), Salah (-2.65) and Gakpo (-0.23) have also been guilty of underperformance in the final third.

In the Primeira Liga this season, Gyokeres has scored 27 goals from 31 starts and outperformed his xG by +5.07.

Chelsea – 5/1

Chelsea have endured a rather patchy record when it comes to signing strikers across the last decade.

Since the departure of Didier Drogba, only Diego Costa has looked like the real deal in a Chelsea shirt, with the likes of Alvaro Morata, Olivier Giroud, Romelu Lukaku, Tammy Abraham and Kai Havertz having failed to prove the solution.

The West Londoners signed Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal in 2023 and the 22-year-old has scored 10 league goals in his debut season. However, an underperformance on xG (-3.86) shows refinement is needed. A more reliable finisher looks to be top of Chelsea’s wish list for the summer window.

Arsenal – 3/1

Mikel Arteta’s desire for a prolific presence up front has been no secret and Arsenal are the current favourites to sign Gyokeres.

Kai Havertz’s resurgence at centre-forward has been welcomed across the run-in, though there’s a sense that Arsenal need a ‘killer’ in the penalty box to make the next step.

Gyokeres’ ability to score and create, with a desire to carry the ball and roam across the pitch, could ideally suit an Arsenal team that thrives with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli coming in from wide areas.

The Swede leads Portugal’s Primeira Liga for attacking penalty area touches, carries into the penalty box, attempted take-ons and progressive passes received in 2023/24.

Read – A Premier League XI of players out of contract this summer

See more – Premier League spending cap explained as clubs agree to scrap controversial PSR

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