Sporting Lisbon’s prolific striker Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly set his sights on a move to the Premier League this summer, with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City emerging as his preferred destinations. The 26-year-old Swedish international, who has taken European football by storm since joining Sporting in 2023, is said to be eyeing a return to England, where he previously played for Brighton, Swansea, and Coventry City.
According to a report from Portuguese outlet A Bola, Gyokeres has made it clear that he sees his future at one of the Premier League’s elite clubs, with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City topping his list. The news comes as a blow to Manchester United, where a reunion with his former Sporting manager Rúben Amorim—who joined the Red Devils in November—had been widely speculated. Despite United’s interest and their need for a reliable goalscorer, Gyokeres appears to have ruled out a move to Old Trafford, prioritizing clubs with a stronger chance of competing for major honors next season.
Gyokeres’ rise to prominence has been nothing short of meteoric. Since his £20 million transfer from Coventry City to Sporting in the summer of 2023, the 6ft 2in forward has plundered an astonishing 82 goals in 90 appearances across all competitions. His standout 2023-24 season, where he scored 43 goals and provided 15 assists, was instrumental in Sporting clinching the Primeira Liga title. This term, he has continued his sensational form, netting 39 goals in 40 games, including a memorable hat-trick against Manchester City in a 4-1 Champions League victory in November 2024.
His blend of physicality, pace, and clinical finishing has made him one of the most sought-after strikers in world football. With a reported release clause of €100 million (£84.4 million), Sporting are bracing for an inevitable departure at the end of the season, though sources suggest they could accept a fee closer to €70 million (£59.1 million) if multiple clubs enter the race.
For Liverpool, Gyokeres represents a potential solution to their attacking conundrum. Despite leading the Premier League under Arne Slot, the Reds have relied heavily on Darwin Núñez, whose inconsistency has fueled speculation of a summer exit. Gyokeres’ goal-scoring prowess and ability to lead the line could make him the “poster boy” of Slot’s evolving project at Anfield.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been on the hunt for a marquee No. 9 to complement Mikel Arteta’s possession-based system. With Gabriel Jesus struggling for form and Kai Havertz deployed in a hybrid role, Gyokeres’ versatility and relentless work rate align perfectly with the Gunners’ ambitions of ending their two-decade wait for a Premier League title.
Manchester City’s interest may seem surprising given Erling Haaland’s presence, but Pep Guardiola’s side has a history of planning for the future. Haaland recently signed a new deal until 2030, but City’s recruitment of Omar Marmoush in January suggests a willingness to deepen their attacking options. Gyokeres could serve as a dynamic alternative or long-term successor, especially with his familiarity with Hugo Viana, Sporting’s former director of football who joined City last year.
While the Premier League trio lead the chase, Gyokeres has also attracted attention from Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, per posts on X and various European reports. Barcelona, in particular, has been mooted as a “dream” destination for the striker, though their financial constraints could hinder a move. Arsenal and Liverpool, by contrast, appear better positioned to meet Sporting’s valuation, while City’s financial muscle makes them a perennial threat in any transfer battle.
Sporting, for their part, are resigned to losing their talisman but will aim to maximize his transfer fee. The club’s hierarchy views his exit as “inevitable,” with A Bola suggesting they’ll push for a bidding war to drive up the price. Coventry City, Gyokeres’ former club, will also benefit, entitled to 15% of any future fee due to a sell-on clause from his 2023 transfer.