Liverpool has shopped fairly often in the Portuguese market with Luis Díaz (FC Porto) and Darwin Núñez (Benfica) both arriving at Anfield from the region thanks to Julian Ward’s knowledge and expertise. Fábio Carvalho, while he came from Fulham, also represents Portugal at international level.
Former sporting director Ward departed at the end of last season but now the Reds have been told to make another move for a player performing at the highest level in Portugal, this time from Sporting CP. Rúben Amorim’s side currently leads the standings at around the halfway mark, in no small part down to the excellent form of a certain Scandinavian striker.
Viktor Gyökeres has already scored 20 goals and provided a further 10 assists this season for Sporting in all competitions. The Swede, who moved to Portugal from Coventry City for a fee of around $26m (£21m/€24m) in the summer, has been a revelation, settling straight in at the higher level.
“Gyökeres is breaking records at Sporting and, honestly, I can say he is better than me,” 72-year-old Sporting legend Manuel Fernandes, who scored 241 goals during his career, told A Bola. “Since I left Sporting, I haven’t seen a striker as complete as him.
“There are equals, but better players? No. He is a complete player. He both scores and scores. This quality is crucial in a striker. I hope he doesn’t leave Sporting anytime soon.”
With a release clause worth $110m (£86m/€100m) inserted into his Sporting contract, getting the 25-year-old former Brighton forward out of Liga Portugal will be expensive. With a goals record as good as Gyökeres’, though, it might not be before someone pays it. Chelsea and Manchester United are among the sides that could do with finding an upgrade in attack.
“It would be difficult for any club to activate his release clause in the winter market,” Fernandes continued. “If you have to leave, let it be to a big club, like Liverpool or Bayern Munich. But for now, it is clear that he is doing well at Sporting. He is a serious and focused player.”
