Liverpool have reportedly initiated contact to sign Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, a 26-year-old Swedish striker hailed by some as the ‘best striker in the world,’ as they aim to bolster their attack for the 2025/26 season.
The Reds, under Arne Slot, have shifted focus from high-profile targets like Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, whose exorbitant price tags of £150-200 million and £63 million respectively have proven prohibitive.
Gyökeres, with a more attainable £70-80 million valuation, has emerged as Liverpool’s top priority, with negotiations underway as the club seeks to capitalize on their ambitious summer transfer window.
Gyökeres has been a revelation since joining Sporting from Coventry City in 2023, scoring an astonishing 43 goals and providing 15 assists in 50 appearances last season. His physicality, clinical finishing (23 goals in 33 Liga Portugal games), and playmaking (56 key passes) make him a complete forward suited to Slot’s high-pressing 4-2-3-1 system.
The Swede’s 87 dribbles and 12 headed goals highlight his versatility, drawing comparisons to Erling Haaland, though former teammate Callum O’Hare praised him as “unplayable” for his all-around game. Liverpool’s interest intensified after Gyökeres’ hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League, showcasing his ability to perform against elite opposition.
The Reds’ pursuit comes amid uncertainties surrounding their current forwards. Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa are linked with moves to Napoli, while Diogo Jota’s injury concerns persist.
Liverpool’s recent signings—Florian Wirtz (£116m), Milos Kerkez (£40m), Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m), and Armin Pecsi (£1.5m)—have pushed their summer spending past £185 million, offset by Jarell Quansah’s £35 million sale to Bayer Leverkusen.
Gyökeres represents a strategic addition, offering a balance of immediate impact and financial sensibility compared to Isak, whose transfer is complicated by Newcastle’s Champions League qualification and firm stance on retaining him.
Sporting are open to negotiations but demand a fee close to Gyökeres’ £68 million release clause, with add-ons potentially pushing the deal higher. Liverpool face competition from Manchester United and Arsenal, but Slot’s clear vision and the promise of regular minutes alongside Wirtz and Mohamed Salah give the Reds an edge.
Fans are buzzing with anticipation, with many believing Gyökeres could form a devastating partnership with Wirtz, whose 104 key passes last season could unlock the Swede’s goal-scoring prowess. As Liverpool prepare to defend their Premier League title, securing Gyökeres could define Slot’s era and signal their intent to dominate Europe.
