Viktor Gyökeres' attacking output is superior to any other player in Europe’s top ten leagues. The Swedish international is enjoying a phenomenal season with Sporting CP and his productivity has been off the scale. Gyökeres achievements are even more remarkable considering it’s his first season in Portugal after playing in the English Championship last season.
Brighton are widely regarded as one of the best talent spotting clubs in Europe and they identified Gyökeres’ potential when they plucked him from the Allsvenskan in 2018. Several loan spells followed but Gyökeres turned out to be a late bloomer and Brighton will be cursing their luck for allowing him to join Coventry permanently for just €1.2 million as he’s now on the radar of major European clubs with an eye-watering release clause.
The top ten players with most goals and assists in top ten leagues
Gyökeres has the most goal contributions of any player in Europe’s top five leagues with an incredible 50 goals and assists across all competitions for Sporting. The Swede has scored 36 goals in 39 games, while he’s also provided 14 assists for his teammates. Gyökeres’ sensational productivity has him registering 1.41 goals and assists per 90 minutes across all competitions.
As the graphic above illustrates, Gyökeres’ record is better than Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Despite Bayern Munich’s struggles in the Bundesliga, Kane has enjoyed an excellent first season in Germany and he remains in contention to beat Robert Lewandowski’s scoring record in the league. Kane sits second in the list with 49 goals and assists in 35 games, while Mbappé is third with 46. Three English Premier League players made the top ten in Haaland, Mo Salah and Ollie Watkins while Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland also features after a stunning campaign in Scotland.
The inside track from Portugal on Viktor Gyökeres
Despite crashing out to Atalanta in the Europa League last season, Sporting are enjoying a good season under the guidance of Rúben Amorim. The 39-year-old is widely regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in Europe and he’s been linked with replacing Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool. Sporting sit top of the Liga Portugal table ahead of Benfica and Gyökeres has been pivotal to their success since joining, as Gonçalo Tristão Santos, Transfermarkt’s Portugal content manager, explains.
“Gyökeres’ performances in Portugal are surprising everyone,” Santos said. “After all, we're talking about a player who was in the Championship, England's second tier. I don't think anyone expected him to score so many goals in his first season at Sporting: he's already scored 36 goals and provided 14 assists in 39 games. “We're talking about Sporting's biggest signing ever, which has already surpassed €20 million with bonuses, and his performances have justified the club's investment. Gyökeres is a very complete forward who has perfectly fit into the tactical scheme of the coach Rúben Amorim. He's capable of making good plays through the central corridor, but he can also drift to the wings and still finish - he does a bit of everything in Sporting's attack.”
Will Arsenal pay Gyokeres’ €100m release clause?
Sporting spent a club record fee of €21m to sign Gyökeres from Coventry last summer but they’ll make a significant profit when he's sold. Various top European sides have scouted him this season but the strongest interest comes from Arsenal. Mikel Arteta has transformed the Gunners since taking charge but it’s widely accepted that a new striker is required to take Arsenal to the next level. Gyökeres’ staggering release clause of €100m could deter potential suitors but Portuguese expert Santos believes Sporting will demand a fee close to nine-figures.
“We already know that the top European clubs are keeping an eye on players who stand out in Portuguese football, and Gyökeres is no exception,” he added. “However, I don't think it will be easy to take him away from Sporting. He has a release clause of €100 million, along with a contract until 2028, and I doubt Sporting would accept negotiating for much less than that clause. I'm not saying Sporting will only sell him for €100 million, but it will take a very high offer to take him from Alvalade this summer.”
