La Liga heavyweights Barcelona have reportedly identified 26-year-old Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres as the potential long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Viktor Gyokeres is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The Sporting CP striker has become a hot property in the market, with the Blaugrana viewing him as a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski. Meanwhile, the Swedish centre-forward is also a target for Arsenal, with his contract having a release clause worth €100 million.
The rise of Viktor Gyokeres as a prolific force
Viktor Gyokeres has evolved into one of the most prolific attackers in the world since joining Sporting CP from Coventry City last summer. The Swede went under the radar during his spell with the EFL Championship outfit, with Premier League bigwigs not launching the offensive to sign him 12 months ago.
However, their loss has been Sporting CP’s gain, with Gyokeres going from strength to strength in the last 12 months. The 26-year-old has been exceptional in the early stages of the 2023/24 season, contributing to ten goals in five appearances across all competitions by finding the back of the net seven times and providing three assists.
Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres’s progress at Sporting CP has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. A move to La Liga might be on the cards, with Barcelona vying for his signature, although the Blaugrana will face stiff competition from Arsenal for his signature.
A man in demand
Barcelona’s interest in Viktor Gyokeres is understandable. The Catalan giants are scouring the market for a striker heading into the 2025 summer transfer window due to Robert Lewandowski’s advancing years. So, the Sporting CP striker has emerged as a viable target, although his release clause of €100 million might pose a problem for Barcelona.
As for Arsenal, they were keen on signing Gyokeres in the summer transfer window before a move failed to materialise. The North London club sold Eddie Nketiah on the deadline day without bringing in a replacement. So, with Gabriel Jesus not being prolific in front of the goal, pursuing Gyokeres is a sensible decision.
Unlike Barcelona, Arsenal might have the funds to afford a move worth €100 million to sign Gyokeres from Sporting CP next year. However, it will be interesting to see if the Blaugrana can muster the money to land the 26-year-old Swede as a long-term successor to Lewandowski.
