Sporting Lisbon legend Manuel Fernandes would like to see Viktor Gyokeres join a club like Premier League giants Liverpool if the Newcastle and Arsenal linked striker leaves the Portuguese capital.
HITC Football understands that, after only half a season in Lisbon, the former Coventry City powerhouse has had scouts flocking to the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Representatives on behalf of Liverpool and Newcastle United were in attendance as Sporting hammered Estoril 5-1 last week. And while Viktor Gyokeres might not have added to his tally of 20 goals for Ruben Amorim’s side, he did produce very different kind of hat-trick, setting up three of Sporting’s five goals.
It was a performance which confirmed the Swede’s status as a ‘complete’ centre-forward, in the eyes of Sporting hero Manuel Fernandes.
Liverpool and Newcastle United watch Viktor Gyokeres
“Gyokeres is breaking records at Sporting and, honestly, I can say he is better than me,” Fernandes, a two-time Primeira Liga champion in the 1980s, tells A Bola.
“Since I left Sporting (37 years ago), I haven’t seen a striker as complete as him. There are equals, but better players? No.
“He is a complete player. He both scores and scores. This quality is crucial in a striker.”
Gyokeres has already reached double figures for both goals and assists this season, making the step up from life in England’s second tier rather seamlessly. Arsenal have also been linked, The Gunners seemingly one top-class centre-forward short.
And while some have suggested that Gyokeres could become the latest footballer to swap clubs for a nine-figure sum, HITC understands that the release clause in his Sporting contract stands at around half of that rumoured 100 million euro fee.
20 goals and 10 assists
“I hope he doesn’t leave Sporting anytime soon,” Fernandes adds. “It would be difficult for any club to activate his release clause in the winter market. If you have to leave, let it be to a big club, like Liverpool or Bayern Munich.
“Bu,t for now, it is clear that he is doing well at Sporting. He is a serious and focused player.”
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