Viktor Gyokeres is aiming to play for one of Europe's biggest teams, although the Sporting CP goalscoring machine claims he can wait “as long as necessary” to make that move.
Gyokeres has proven to be a revelation since joining Portuguese giants Sporting from Coventry City in 2023, scoring 69 goals in 74 games in all competitions.
He has shot Sporting – who lost head coach Ruben Amorim to Manchester United last month – to the top of the Liga Portugal, with 12 wins and two defeats from 14 games this season.
Gyokeres scored 18 goals in 14 league matches in 2024-25, the most of any player in Europe's top 10, ahead of Robert Lewandowski (16), Harry Kane (14), Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah (13 apiece).
That number represents an overachievement based on his overall figure of 15.07 expected goals (xG), while he has a high chance conversion rate of 62.9% and also has five Champions League goals – three of which came in a 4-1 defeat against Manchester. City last month.
His remarkable rise has led to suggestions he could join a Premier League giant next year, and the forward has made no secret of his desire to make the step up.
“We'll see. There are a lot of rumors going around, but we are in the middle of the season, there are still many months to go,” Gyokeres told Bladet after winning the Guldbollen Prize, which is awarded by the outlet to the best performing Swedish player. year.
“We'll see when the time comes what will happen. Playing in one of the best teams in Europe, that's the goal.”
However, Gyokeres remains grateful to Sporting for their role in his development and is not concerned about the timing of his next move.
“Sometimes it was difficult. I have played many seasons in the Championship. It is a very good and tough competition, but obviously I have always wanted to play in an important competition,” he said.
“For me it doesn't matter, it can take as long as it takes.
“When I came here, I felt prepared. I could have come here when I was 19 or 20 years old, but maybe I wouldn't have performed at the same level as I do now.
“It's hard to understand that sometimes it's real, but that stimulates me and I want to keep playing. You can always do better, score more goals.”
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