Arsenal and Barcelona have been handed a massive boost in their search for a marquee striker as Sporting CP are reportedly considering slashing star striker Viktor Gyokeres’ asking price. This is as per Spanish outlet Fichajes, whose report adds that the Portuguese side are aware of the demand for their player, but believe his €100 million release clause is acting as a stumbling block for interested parties.
As of now, Arsenal and Barcelona are two of the main clubs interested in the player. Manchester United and PSG also remain interested in the striker as they continue the search for a player to lead their respective frontlines. Earlier fixated on their price-tag, Sporting are now reportedly willing to reduce their demands to €60 million, which would encourage most clubs to submit bids.
A bidding war could in-turn ensue, with the price once again likely to be inflated due to this. While the main reason for Sporting’s change of heart is unknown, they are set to make a profit from Viktor Gyokeres’ sale no matter what. The player joined the club from Coventry City in July 2023 for €20 million plus €4 million in add-ons and will rake in at least three times that amount.
It remains to be seen how this saga pans out.
Gyokeres on-track to break multiple scoring records
Last season, Viktor Gyokeres’ 29 goals in 33 Liga Portugal games seemed like a personal record the Swede will not come close to matching for a while. However, with 13 games left to go in Sporting CP’s current campaign, the marksman is on track to smash his own record, and could also gun for the all-time single season scoring record.
Gyokeres is currently on 22 strikes from 20 games, and has 13 more games to match or surpass his own 29-goal tally from last season. Hector Yazalde holds the record for most goals in a single campaign and achieved it with Sporting CP in the 1973-74 season. In second place in the all-time standings is Fernando Peyroteo, who scored 43 times for Sporting in the 1946-47 season. In third place come Benfica’s Eusebio in the 1967-68 season and Sporting’s Mario Jardel in the 2001-02 season, both with 42 strikes.
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It seems something of a club tradition at Sporting to hold the aforementioned record, and Gyokeres will give his all to win it.
