Gyokeres claim made as Sporting striker begins to ‘dispel doubts’

Viktor Gyokeres would have “no problems” playing for Arsenal or Chelsea, according to a close observer of the Sporting CP striker, who says that it’s “not impossible” a team pays €100 million for the hitman.

Gyokeres has been linked with a move to Arsenal for months, and a strong start to the current season has only heightened these rumours. Premier League rivals Chelsea have also been linked with a possible move as they seek a No.9.

The 26-year-old Sweden international forward has netted 12 goals and created three more in eight games for club and country this season and on Tuesday got the opener in Sporting’s 2-0 Champions League win over Lille.

READ MORE: Chelsea ready to rival Arsenal for goal machine Gyokeres

Arsenal refused to meet his €100m release clause in the summer, but with the former Coventry hitman in such form, the possibility of the Gunners rethinking this stance remains.

TV pundit Glenn Stromberg, who played for Benfica during a career that saw him win more than 50 caps for Sweden, is confident that Gyokeres is capable of making a big leap in his career.

“I don’t think he would have any problems playing in any of the five major leagues. The championship itself is not a problem. He is a player who has already shown great quality and just needs to continue doing what he has been doing well, which is scoring goals,” he told O Jogo.

“I’ve always been convinced that he could become a great forward, a player who stands out in European football due to his characteristics and qualities.

“Gyokeres is a player who is very active throughout the game, he’s very fast, physically strong and likes to go straight towards the goal. There are players who sometimes slow down, try to dribble, but I really like Gyokeres because he goes straight into attack in search of the goal with terrific directness. He also makes good decisions…”

Will Arsenal or Chelsea trigger Gyokeres’ release clause?

Whether he moves for that magical €100m figure, though, depends on his Champions League performances, according to Stromberg.

“I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it’s a sum that only the big clubs in the big European leagues can afford,” he said. “Gyokeres certainly has a lot of interest, but one of those clubs will have to feel the need for a striker who can score a lot of goals and believe that he can be that player.

“The fact that he plays in a league like Portugal, which is not among the top five, could raise some doubts among coaches about whether he will be able to replicate Sporting’s numbers in a higher-level championship, where there are stronger teams and better players.

“For those who don’t play in the main leagues, European competitions, especially the Champions League, are an opportunity to compete at a higher level, facing teams and players of a higher level. Scouts and coaches tend to value individual performances more in these competitions.

“It could be a way to dispel doubts about Gyokeres’ value and for him to show that he is not only capable of scoring goals in Portugal but also in a stronger competition.”