Fabrizio Romano has downplayed any potential interest from Chelsea this summer in signing Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres.
Viktor Gyokeres, who’s now 25, is having a stunning debut season in Lisbon.
The centre-forward’s scored 32 goals and made 11 assists in 36 appearances so far in Sporting colours.
He’s been linked various times in the media recently as a potential transfer target for Chelsea. For example, journalist Simon Phillips explained via Substack last month that Chelsea chiefs have Gyokeres high up on their shortlist of striker targets.
However, journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared what he’s heard regarding Gyokeres’ future.
Romano has heard that Chelsea never advanced any interest they had during January with Gyokeres, with zero conversations taking place between any parties.
Now, Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues side have other strikers as a bigger priority for the summer.
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Romano told CaughtOffside: “They always want the entire release clause to let a player go when he is a superstar, like in this case with Viktor Gyokores. I am sure they will ask for the release clause, €100 million. This is what they did in January when some clubs started to enquire about the situation. I’m sure it is going to be difficult but I’m also sure there will be interest.
“From what I’m hearing in this case, Chelsea were already rumoured as a potential destination in January, but the information I got is that Chelsea never started a conversation for him in the January window, with Sporting or with the player. I think there is other names for Chelsea as priority, with [Victor] Osimhen and others.
“Arsenal are keeping a close eye on that market [the Portuguese one] so let’s see what Arsenal will try to do or if some other club will jump into this situation.”
We actually quite like the idea of Gyokeres as Chelsea’s new main No 9 next season, but it doesn’t sound too likely at this moment in time.
The main question mark about him is he’s not scored consistently yet in one of the top divisions, but what he’s doing in the Liga NOS right now is pretty special. We’ve seen some incredible talents develop in the Portuguese league over the years, too.
He looks like a pretty complete frontman in terms of pace, strength and finishing. What will be his next step, though?
