Burnley have been ‘priced out’ of a deal for Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres with Premier League trio Leeds United, Everton and Wolves eyeing up the £18 million-rated Sweden international, according to Lancs Live.
Vincent Kompany’s Burnley may be flying high in the second-tier – their return to the big time feeling like a case of when rather than if. But they are not there yet. As long as the Clarets remain a Championship club, players as expensive and as coveted as Viktor Gyokeres will remain out of reach.
Well, for the time being anyway.
Coventry, TEAMtalk say, value the one-time Brighton and Hove Albion youngster at around £18 million. Everton, Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers are all keeping tabs on Gyokeres, while Leeds are preparing to test the waters with a £14 million bid.
Gyokeres, physical, fast but technically gifted too, would give Jesse Marsch some much-needed cover for the injury-prone Patrick Bamford at Elland Road. Everton and Wolves have found goals hard to come by this season too, while Gyokeres has 13 in just 26 games for mid-table Coventry.
Burnley, meanwhile, may have no choice but to accept defeat, despite suggestions that the former Swansea City loanee was initially right at the top of Kompany’s January wishlist (The Sun).
Leeds United, Everton and Wolves like Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres
“There was a grabbing of his shirt but he got away from that. It slowed him down for a split second. And then the acceleration came,” Coventry boss Mark Robins beamed following Gyokeres’ sublime solo goal against Wigan Athletic late last year.
“And the touch inside and the finish was absolutely fantastic. It was a brilliant finish. He’s starting to score different types of goals now, and that only makes things better for him and us.
“He’s certainly a talent but there’s still a load of improvement there. A load of improvement in him.”
A scary thought indeed.
Burnley could potentially turn their attention to more affordable options; Bristol City’s Antoine Semenyo reportedly available for around £5 million. Sint-Triuden defender Ameen Al-Dakhil is also expected to arrive at Turf Moor this month.
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