Barcelona eye Viktor Gyokeres as Sporting CP star emerges as Robert Lewandowski's potential successor

Gyokeres’ success has made him one of the most sought-after players in European football, with many clubs monitoring his situation at Sporting CP. Although he has a release clause of €100 million (£83m/$107m),Fichajes claim the Blaugrana are keen to complete a deal for the 26-year-old as they are "convinced" he can mark a new era for Barcelona's attack alongside Lamine Yamal.

The Blaugranas are reportedly considering several creative strategies to make this deal financially feasible. The club believes it could include young Brazilian talent Vitor Roque, who was previously offered to Sporting for €30 million (£25m/$32m) last summer. Additionally, Barcelona still holds a 50% sell-on clause for former player Francisco Trincao, who is currently with Sporting. By incorporating both Roque and the sell-on rights in a potential deal, Barcelona hope to further reduce the overall cost of acquiring Gyokeres, thereby securing a top-tier forward at a fraction of his release clause who could potentially lead the attack after Lewandowski leaves the club.

Gyokeres’ performances this season have only increased his appeal, with the 26-year-old off to a strong start in Liga Portugal. In just 10 games, he has already notched up 16 goals, showcasing the same sharp form that saw him score 29 goals and contribute 10 assists over the last league campaign. Moreover, his recent hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League has further boosted his stock.

Barcelona will likely face stiff competition in its pursuit of Gyokeres, as several major clubs across Europe are also reportedly preparing offers. Manchester United, eager to bolster their forward options after underwhelming performances from Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, is said to be closely monitoring the striker’s availability. United's hopes are bolstered by the arrival of their new manager Ruben Amorim, who may play a critical role in persuading Gyokeres to join. Additionally, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are both rumoured to be interested, signalling a tough transfer battle for Barcelona as these heavyweight clubs all look to strengthen their attacking ranks.