Chelsea and their London rivals, Arsenal, are reportedly eyeing a move for 25-year-old striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP in January. However, Sporting’s manager, Ruben Amorim, is adamant that the Portuguese club has no intention of letting him go and will only consider a deal if the €100 million (£86m/$109m) release clause in his contract is met. Amorim emphasized, “He will only leave if someone pays the buyout clause in January — otherwise, he will stay.”
Gyokeres, who joined Sporting from Coventry City during the summer transfer window, is under contract until 2028. The Swedish international has been in exceptional form, scoring 17 goals in 19 matches across all competitions, further reinforcing Sporting’s determination to retain him. Recently, he found the net against Porto in the Primeira Liga, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess.
Despite Chelsea’s rumored interest in Gyokeres, Sporting seems resolute in holding onto their prized asset. The striker’s impressive track record, coupled with his recent performances, has elevated his market value, making Chelsea’s potential pursuit more challenging. Sporting’s stance suggests that any negotiation would need to meet the substantial release clause.
Gyokeres spent three years with Brighton before being loaned out to St. Pauli, Swansea, and eventually Coventry, where he signed permanently in 2021. Chelsea’s decision on whether to trigger the release clause in January remains uncertain, as the club has received a boost with the return of Christopher Nkunku, set to debut against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, potentially addressing their goal-scoring concerns.
The dynamics of this potential transfer hinge on Chelsea’s willingness to meet Sporting’s valuation for Gyokeres, a talented striker who has proven his goal-scoring ability since joining the Portuguese club. As the January transfer window approaches, the football world awaits developments regarding this intriguing transfer saga.
