Calvin Andrew is delighted for Coventry City that Viktor Gyokeres stayed at the club during January. The striker was a transfer target of Everton and new Toffees manager Sean Dyche.
Goodison Park chiefs eyed a move for Gyokeres this January with the forward producing a scintillating season so far. The 24-year-old has now scored 13 and assisted four goals over 31 Championship appearances this term after ending his seven-game drought on Tuesday.
Gyokeres had not scored a second-tier goal since Boxing Day. But the 11-cap Sweden star struck the back of the net again to give Coventry a 1-0 win over Millwall. He is now second only to Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom with 16 goals in 24 games in the Golden Boot race.
It took until the 67th minute for Gyokeres to break the deadlock at the Coventry Building Society Stadium. But his goal was worth the wait as the forward spun Charlie Cresswell to break into the centre of the field before placing the ball into the far corner from 30 yards.
The goals Gyokeres has provided Coventry so far this season tempted Everton to target his transfer in January. TEAMtalk reported that the Toffees explored a deal for the 24-year-old under Frank Lampard. While Dean Jones later added that Dyche would back an £18m deal.
Gyokeres staying at Coventry over transfer interest from Everton thrilled Andrew
But Alan Nixon noted that Coventry wanted £25m to grant clubs like Everton a transfer for Gyokeres. The Sky Blues’ refusal to lower their valuation may have denied Dyche any deal. Now, he must hope that Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Neal Maupay and Ellis Simms can step up.
Everton explored a transfer for Gyokeres as Calvert-Lewin and Maupay still only have one goal each in the Premier League. Simms is yet to score for the Toffees since returning from a loan spell at Sunderland. He gave the Black Cats seven goals in 17 Championship games.
Gyokeres, then, may have made a huge difference to Everton’s push to avoid relegation to the second-tier. But former Rochdale, Mansfield and Port Vale forward Andrew is thrilled for Coventry that the Sky Blues were able to keep hold of their star attacker in the winter sales.
“Gyokeres is a real talisman for Coventry,” Andrew has told BBC Sport. “He was supposed to go everywhere in January, so it was important they kept hold of him.
“Jamie Allen, a friend of mine who plays for Coventry, thinks the world of him and says how good he is. Not only in terms of his goalscoring but as an all-round centre-forward, bringing others into play and his work rate. He’s an important figure.”
As well as Everton, Leeds United and Championship leaders Burnley explored a transfer for Gyokeres from Coventry in January. But Coventry Live noted the Whites cooled their chase after signing Georginio Rutter. While Lancs Live noted the Clarets could not afford a move.
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