Liverpool have been urged to make a shock move to sign Sporting CP phenom Viktor Gyokores.
After Arne Slot took over a talented roster left behind by former head coach Jurgen Klopp, the Reds are the only team with a flawless record in the Champions League while holding a five-point lead atop the Premier League table. However, with arguably their three most important players facing uncertain futures, Liverpool is assessing what top-level players could be available on the market.
It is not often that you see such a smooth transition from one manager to another, particularly at a major club. Given Liverpool’s impressive start to the season, Richard Hughes will be keeping a keen eye on any transfer developments around Europe ahead of the January window.
The player who has emerged as one of the hottest talents in Europe is Sporting CP striker Gyokores. The 26-year-old has scored 16 goals in 11 Liga Portugal appearances, while he also has five goals in four Champions League outings – including a hat-trick versus Manchester City.
Despite Liverpool having options in the No. 9 role, including former Liga Portugal star Darwin Nunez, CNN presenter Andre Pipa believes Gyokores should move to Anfield. There are many interested clubs in his services, and Manchester United could be interested given their need for a striker and Ruben Amorim recently taking over as manager.
Speaking to Maisfutebol, Pipa suggested Gyokores should join a club like Liverpool over following Amorim to Old Trafford. He said: “They (United) have a coach who knows him, and I don’t know what Gyokeres idea is, whether he likes it or not, I personally prefer to see him in Liverpool, but if he has to go to United, I think it is a great contract for Amorim, because Amorim knows him, and the player knows the coach, and you know, there is a possibility, yes.”
Gyokeres has become one of the hottest names in football through the opening months of the season. The Swede is arguably the most feared striker in Europe on current form, with his numbers better than the likes of Erling Haaland and Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.
According to speculation, Sporting would be tempted to let Gyokores go for approximately $80 million. While the figure is expensive, the market is the market – and Gyokores would be worth every penny if he continues to deliver at this rate.
Liverpool could certainly make an attempt to sign Gyokeres, particularly given the inconsistent output and health concerns of Diogo Jota and Nunez. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool decides to spend such an outlay on a striker, particularly with Mohamed Salah ’s future still unclear beyond the end of the 2024-25 season.
