Sporting CP and Sweden forward Viktor Gyokeres is arguably the best forward in the world not playing for a Champions League contender at the moment, and it is no surprise that he has attracted admiring glances from the world’s biggest clubs. One of them is Barcelona.
Many will be wondering how on earth Barcelona would be able to afford one of the most coveted players in Europe, who has a €100m release clause. Yet Barcelona believe they could do a deal much cheaper, say Sport. The Swedish striker reportedly has an agreement with Sporting that he can leave for around €60-70m next summer.
Barcelona have already scored nine goals from outside the box this season, just one fewer than their total from 53 games last season. In the 2022/23 season, they managed only five goals from outside the penalty area. @xavierbosch pic.twitter.com/RmjifplZaY
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) November 5, 2024
Barcelona believe that by potentially including Vitor Roque in the deal, who was offered to Sporting last summer for €30m, while they also retain a 50% sell-on fee for Francisco Trincao, who is currently at Sporting. They believe that by including those rights and Roque, they could get Gyokeres, and their long-term Robert Lewandowski replacement on the cheap.
On the flipside, there is a reason that Roque ended up at Real Betis and not Sporting CP this summer, and they may prefer simple cash. Depending n his form for Betis this season, the Blaugrana may have to accept making a major loss on Roque if they want to include him in the deal. Equally, if he does very well this season, Betis may decide to execute their buy option on him. Various Premier League sides have been linked with Gyokeres, including Manchester United, where his manager Ruben Amorim is headed.
