Real Madrid could be in search of a new forward to fill the absence of Vinícius Júnior. Vinícius Júnior is key, but Madrid has several options for a new "nine." In this case, Viktor Gyökeres, a Swedish forward from Sporting Lisbon, has become one of the most sought-after names by Europe's giants, including Real Madrid.
Viktor Gyökeres: The Trending Goal Scorer
Gyökeres has reached the peak of his career with Sporting Lisbon. At 26 years old, he is the team's top scorer, with 27 goals in 24 Primeira Liga matches.
His finishing ability and goal-scoring instinct have made him a highly desired asset. With 82 goals in 90 matches, the Swede has attracted interest from Portuguese clubs, the Premier League, and Real Madrid.
Gyökeres's Price: 75 Million Euros
Sporting's president, Frederico Varandas, has made it clear that their star won't come cheap. According to reports from outlets like Telegraph, the minimum price to sign Gyökeres is 75M euros. Although the player has a release clause of 100M euros, the Portuguese club would be willing to negotiate if attractive offers are presented.
Varandas was blunt about the player's situation: "The sale depends on the player's timing, his age, and whether there's more than one club interested. We've seen lesser players sold for over 100M, and great players sold for less than that amount." Additionally, the president made it clear that Sporting is happy with Gyökeres and won't be pressured by rumors.
The Competition for Gyökeres
While Real Madrid is one of the main interested parties, they are not alone in the race. Manchester United, among other Premier League clubs, is also closely following the Swedish forward. Sporting's good moment in the Primeira Liga and their possible qualification for the Champions League complicates negotiations.
Sporting is leading the table and has a 9-point advantage over the second, Braga. If they manage to secure their Champions League qualification, the club could increase their negotiating power and halt any sale attempts.
In this regard, Varandas highlighted the importance of Champions League qualification: "Presence in the Champions League is indispensable for not selling." If they don't qualify, Sporting would lose 30 or 40M, making the sale of Gyökeres inevitable.