- 13 hours ago
Arsenal's biggest challengers? Liverpool's key advantage in Gyokeres race
Tom Weber
- Updated: 16 Apr 2024 11:18 BST
- 5 min read
The appointment of Ruben Amorim as the new Liverpool head coach could massively shift the balance in the race to sign Viktor Gyokeres.
Liverpool appear to have found their long-term successor to Jurgen Klopp. Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim fits all the criteria to replace the German in the summer and contact between the Reds and the Portuguese coach has already been established.
Amorim's appointment is not set in stone yet, and Xabi Alonso's cryptic recent comments may make Liverpool hopeful of still securing their top target, but it does seem quite likely that the 39-year-old will be in the Anfield dugout next term.
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This could have a massive influence on the transfer market. Speculation about which Sporting players Amorim could bring with him to Merseyside has been rampant, but there is one name that has only rarely been mentioned: Viktor Gyokeres.
This is likely due to the fact that it seems inevitable that he will end up at Arsenal. FootballTransfers has exclusively revealed that he is the Gunners' top priority for the summer and that the feeling is mutual, with the Swede open to a move to the Emirates.
Amorim to bring Gyokeres to Liverpool?
HITC now claims, however, that Amorim is keen to bring Gyokeres to Liverpool. The Reds, of course, already have an expensive, star striker in Darwin Nunez, but recent games have once again laid bare the Uruguayan's glaring shortcomings, with his finishing being one of the biggest concerns.
Gyokeres does not have an issue with his finishing, though there are some concerns about whether he would be able to have quite the same impact in the Premier League as he has had in Portugal. Moreover, the striker will cost a whopping €100 million.
Yet, it would be a major surprise if Liverpool aren't thinking about adding another high-profile striker now that Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are on board and in charge of recruitment. Edwards, given his track record, will surely have a slightly more ruthless approach and a move for Gyokeres would make a lot of sense.
STATS
Viktor Gyökeres
F (CRL)
Viktor Gyökeres
F (CRL)
Sporting CP
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Moreover, the sharpshooter's agent has revealed that Amorim was a massive factor in his decision to join Sporting and that his future will be in doubt if the coach departs this summer. “Yes, it will be more difficult for Viktor to stay if Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting. Because Viktor came precisely because of Ruben."
"The day we met, I said to Ruben: 'Here’s my boy, he came to Sporting because of you.' Of course, it’s an honour for any player to be able to play in the Champions League. Viktor is no exception in that respect, but there are other important things and Ruben Amorim is one of them. If he leaves, it will be more difficult for Viktor to continue.”
Gyokeres is also being linked with Man Utd by the same outlet, but this would be a terrible move by the Red Devils and could massively stunt the development of Rasmus Hojlund. Liverpool, despite only tenuous links, appear to be Arsenal's most credible challengers for Gyokeres' signature, especially if they manage to land Amorim.
