Sporting Lisbon Reportedly Open to Lowering Viktor Gyokeres Transfer Fee

The future of Sporting Lisbon forward Viktor Gyokeres is a prominent topic within the football world. His recent hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday solidified the 26-year-old’s standing as one of Europe’s most sought-after attackers, bringing his total goal count for the season to 23 across 17 matches. Gyokeres has netted nine goals in his last three appearances alone and has also scored 10 times for the Sweden national team. According to Simon Stone, BBC Sport’s chief football news reporter, Sporting may permit Gyokeres to depart the club this summer for a sum less than his €100m (£83.16m) release clause. Stone states that the reigning Primeira Liga champions have communicated to the forward’s representatives their readiness to accept an offer between €75m-€85m (£62.37m-£70.68m) for the player. Gyokeres’ current contract extends until 2028 and includes his release clause. Championship side Coventry City is due to receive 10% of any profit Sporting gains above the initial price they paid for Gyokeres. This potential reduction in price is anticipated to draw attention from leading English clubs, including Manchester United, particularly as current Sporting manager Ruben Amorim is set to join them as their new head coach next week. Amorim previously pledged not to target players from his former club in January. When discussing Gyokeres, Amorim commented that the subject was so sensitive he would “not even make a joke about it”. Notably, Dan Ashworth, who is currently Manchester United’s sporting director, was the individual who sold Gyokeres to Coventry for just £1m in 2021 from his previous club, Brighton.