The Sporting CP and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres is arguably the best striker in the world who is not currently playing for a Champions League contender, and it is no surprise that he has attracted admiring glances from the world’s biggest clubs. One of them is Barcelona.
Many will wonder how Barcelona could afford one of Europe’s most coveted players, who has a €100 million release clause. Yet Barcelona believe they can strike a much cheaper deal, according to Sport. The Swedish striker reportedly has an agreement with Sporting where he could leave for around €60-70 million next summer.
Barcelona have already scored nine goals from outside the box this season, one fewer than their total of 53 games last season. In the 2022/23 season, they have scored just 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 also retaining a 50% sell-on fee for Francisco Trincao, who is currently at Sporting. They figure that by including those rights and Roque, they could get Gyokeres and their long-term replacement Robert Lewandowski on the cheap.
On the other hand, there’s a reason Roque ended up at Real Betis and not Sporting CP this summer, and they might prefer simple money. Depending on his form for Betis this season, the Blaugrana may have to accept taking a major loss to Roque if they want to include him in the deal. Likewise, if he does very well this season, Betis could decide to execute their purchase option on him. Various Premier League teams have been linked with Gyokeres, including Manchester Unitedwhere his manager Ruben Amorim is heading.
