‘We’ll see’ - £85m striker issues come-and-get-me plea - Alan Shearer may get Newcastle United wish
Sporting Lisbon sensation Viktor Gyokeres has fuelled transfer talk by claiming “we’ll see when the time comes” - dropping the biggest hint yet on his future.
A staggering 23 goals in 18 games has put clubs across Europe on red alert - with top-class strikers at a premium. Coupled with the 43 strikes he bagged last season, Gyokeres has quickly become a wanted man.
He is understood to have a £85million release clause and has experience in England, albeit at Championship level with Coventry City and Swansea City. Gyokeres was on Brighton’s books as little as four years ago but only featured in cup competitions.
Manchester United are the club closely linked with the 26-year-old due to Ruben Amorim’s appointment. However, Toon icon Shearer has called upon St James’ Park chiefs to reunite Sweden’s strike partnership of Gyokeres and Alexander Isak at club level.
“There’s Viktor Gyokeres smashing goals in left, right and centre at Sporting,” he said earlier this month. “Manchester United may be getting Ruben Amorim, but he says he won’t be signing players from his former club in January.
“You have to target the best and he is the best option at the moment. You’d certainly have to inquire.”
While admitting he wants to stay at Sporting until the summer, Gyokeres has opened the door for a potential exit further down the line. The striker spoke after scoring alongside Isak in Sweden’s 2-1 win over Slovakia on Saturday.
"It's not something I think about, nor something I care about,” Gyokeres said. “These are rumours, nothing concrete. Of course, I want to finish the season at Sporting, I enjoy my time there. I don't feel stressed about making a change in the future. We'll see when the time comes."