Chelsea have joined the transfer race to sign Sporting CP hitman Viktor Gyokeres ahead of the January transfer window.
Viktor Gyokeres, 25, has hit the ground running at Sporting CP following his summer move from Championship club Coventry City. He has scored a sensational 15 goals in 18 games for the Portuguese side, thereby attracting interest from a host of clubs, including Arsenal, Newcastle United and Inter Milan.
Chelsea are the latest club to show an interest in the Swedish forward. Mauricio Pochettino reportedly has added Gyokeres to a five-man striker shortlist, as the Blues hunt for a new frontman in the winter transfer window.
Chelsea plot move for Viktor Gyokeres
Chelsea could reinforce their front line following their struggles for goals this season. It’s fair to say results are not going as many will have hoped this campaign and the Blues must consider bringing in a new striker to cover and compete with summer signing Nicolas Jackson.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side is looking a little light up front at the moment, with Jackson not firing all cylinders and Christopher Nkunku yet to kick a ball for Chelsea. Armando Broja has returned from a long injury layoff and requires a run of games to get back his rhythm.
The Argentinean tactician has seemingly suggested the club spend again to boost their firepower, and he wants a ‘targetman style forward’ to bring physicality, height and goals to his side. Standing 6ft 2ins tall, Viktor Gyokeres fits that profile perfectly.
Gyokeres is familiar to English audiences after a sensational year in the Championship with Coventry City last season, where he scored 22 goals. This prompted Sporting to splash around €24 million for his signature, and the Sweden international has proved to be an instant hit in Portugal. His exploits in front of goal have caught the attention of several clubs, including Chelsea. Sporting would loathe to lose the 25-year-old just six months after his arrival but they’d be helpless if any club decides to trigger his £87million release clause.
Despite spending over £ 1 billion on new players under the dual ownership of Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital, Chelsea are confident they can spend more in the upcoming transfer window and still comply with FFP rules. But they may look to offload some homegrown talents to free up their wage bill, including Ian Maatsen, Malang Sarr, Trevoh Chalobah and perhaps even Conor Gallagher.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
