Liverpool make move to sign £86 million-rated star who was linked with Chelsea and Arsenal - Reports
Liverpool have made a move to sign highly-rated forward Viktor Gyokeres from Portuguese side Sporting CP, according to reports from Football Insider. The Reds have entered the race for the Swede's signature alongside Premier League sides Arsenal and Chelsea, who are believed to be long-term suitors.
Gyokeres enjoyed a stellar 2023-24 campaign with Sporting. He bagged an impressive 43 goals and 15 assists in 50 games across all competitions, helping his side lift the Primeira Liga title.
On the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, transfer correspondent Pete O'Rourke revealed that Gyokeres is Arsenal's top priority in the summer. Chelsea are also interested in signing him in an attempt to solve their striker woes.
Liverpool have also entered their name into the sweepstakes, as they look to re-tool the squad for Arne Slot's first season in charge of the club. Despite the impressive performances of Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez over the summer, the Reds are still keen on improving their offensive stocks.
Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur have also expressed an interest in the player but have not made any concrete moves.
Despite the interest from the four Premier League giants, Gyokeres' massive £86 million release clause is acting as a deterrent to any potential moves. His contract at the club lasts until 2028, which also gives Sporting the upper hand in negotiations.
The EPL sides are not willing to part ways with such a huge fee, and a move for Gyokeres seems unlikely unless Sporting reduce their asking price.
Liverpool have 'made checks' on Sporting forward Viktor Gyokeres but striker is not a priority position - Reports
According to an update from Mark Brus on Fabrizio Romano's Daily Briefing, Liverpool have 'made checks' on Sporting forward Viktor Gyokeres. However, the report claims that the Reds are not seeking an immediate upgrade at the centre-forward position.
The update reads:
"Liverpool are also understood to have made checks on him earlier in the summer, though a new striker is not currently thought to be a priority for the Reds."
The acquisition of a centre-back, defensive midfielder and winger is reportedly higher on the Reds' priority list than a centre-forward this summer. They have been linked with moves for stars like Real Sociedad forward Takefusa Kubo, RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan, Juventus' Bremer and Benfica wonderkid Joao Neves among many others.
With Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur interested in Gyokeres, Liverpool could look at other avenues to improve their attacking depth. However, they are known to be opportunistic in the transfer window and could make a move for the Swede after Arne Slot's assessment of the squad in pre-season.