Chelsea have received a major boost in their ongoing pursuit of Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyökeres.
The Portuguese club reportedly rejected an €85 million (£71 million) bid from Chelsea last summer, as it fell short of the 26-year-old’s €100 million (£84 million) release clause.
However, the Blues remain keen on signing him this summer to address their struggles in the final third.
Head coach Enzo Maresca is currently without a fit out-and-out striker, with Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu sidelined by injuries, while Christopher Nkunku has struggled to impress in their place.
Gyökeres, meanwhile, is in red-hot form, scoring 37 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions this season – adding to his 43 goals in 50 games from last term.
Writing for GiveMeSport on Monday, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano provided a promising update on Gyökeres’ situation, confirming that not only will the former Coventry City man leave Portugal this summer, but he will also be available for a reduced fee.
Romano revealed that while Gyökeres’ release clause remains in place, he will be allowed to leave the Estádio José Alvalade for between €65 million (£54 million) and €70 million (£59 million) due to a "gentleman’s agreement" with Sporting president Frederico Varandas, who "appreciated Viktor’s commitment and decision to stay for one more year."
"The clause is (unofficially) gone," Romano wrote. "One of the best strikers in the world will be available for €65/70 million in the summer."
Romano added that the race for Gyökeres is "absolutely open," with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain also interested. However, the striker "is taking his time to pick the best project possible."
"Get ready for the battle," he wrote.
Should Chelsea sign Viktor Gyökeres?
Everything Chelsea says...
Chelsea have spent heavily since Todd Boehley and Clearlake Capital took over in May 2022 – investing over £1.15 billion in 34 new signings.
However, only a small portion of that has gone toward strikers, with the club’s biggest outlay on a frontman being the £32 million spent on Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal in 2023.
Beyond that, Chelsea have primarily added young forwards like Marc Guiu, Deivid Washington, and David Datro Fofana – all of whom are either injured or out on loan.
Historically, Chelsea’s most successful teams have been built around a top-class striker leading the line, whether it was Didier Drogba, Diego Costa, or even Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Right now, the club lacks that presence.
While Jackson and Guiu have the potential to develop into elite forwards, they remain unfinished products – especially given their injury struggles – leaving a clear need for a proven goalscorer who can deliver immediately.
Gyökeres may not have played in one of Europe’s top leagues yet, but his Champions League performances – scoring six goals in eight games before Sporting’s elimination – demonstrate he has the quality to compete at the highest level.
Chelsea and Boehley need to finally invest in a proven striker, and there’s no reason Gyökeres shouldn’t be that player.
Comments