La Gazzetta dello Sport affirms that the talented player from Sporting CP is a prominent consideration for Milan’s upcoming transfers, especially as they prepare to select their future number nine in the coming months. The publication offers insights into Gyokeres’ background and journey thus far, along with highlighting a potential advantage that the Rossoneri could leverage.
From England to Portugal
Gyokeres has ascended to become the leading scorer in the Primeira Liga, boasting an impressive tally of 22 goals, surpassing both Braga’s Simon Banza (19) and Arouca’s Rafa Mujica (16). His prolific performances have propelled Sporting to the top of the league, with an outstanding record of 36 goals in 39 games.
Hailing from a location near Stockholm, Gyokeres made his initial move to Brighton in 2017, predominantly featuring for their reserve team. Subsequently, he embarked on a one-year loan to St. Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga, where he notched 7 goals across 28 appearances.
Upon his return to England, Gyokeres had a stint at Swansea in the Championship, albeit with limited success, managing just 1 goal in 12 appearances. However, a pivotal moment in his career arose when he transferred to Coventry in 2021.
The explosion
At Coventry, Gyokeres experienced a significant transformation, swiftly winning over fans as he finally enjoyed a consistent run of games and rewarded the trust placed in him by head coach Mark Robins with his goal-scoring prowess.
Over the course of two seasons in the West Midlands, he netted an impressive total of 43 goals in 116 appearances, with promotion to the Premier League tantalizingly close.
Regrettably, the Sky Blues suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the play-off final against Luton Town, losing on penalties. Had they emerged victorious and secured a return to the top flight for the first time in over two decades, the trajectory of Gyokeres’ career might have taken a different turn today.
The record move
Sporting CP’s impressive performances in England convinced them to make their most significant investment yet, as they splashed out €20 million (plus €4 million in various bonuses) to secure Gyokeres’ services on the banks of the Tagus River.
This departure also brought a substantial financial boost to Coventry, marking their most significant financial gain since 2000, when they sold Robby Keane to Inter for approximately 31 billion lire (now valued at about €16 million).
Recognizing Gyokeres’ potential as a special striker, the Portuguese club inserted a €100 million release clause in his contract. However, they are also aware that they may need to address his desires in the event of offers from Europe’s major clubs.
The ‘Gyokeres mask’
Another intriguing aspect surrounds Viktor’s unique goal celebration – the intertwined fingers on his face, known as the ‘Gyokeres mask’, introduced upon his arrival in Lisbon. This celebration has become a mystery in Portugal, leaving many Sporting fans curious about its significance.
Despite numerous attempts by fans to decipher its meaning, the striker has teased that he will reveal the secret only at the end of the season, with one condition: winning the title.
In the meantime, the ‘Gyokeres mask’ has garnered a cult following, with imitators replicating it on provincial fields every weekend.
The idol
Gyokeres, born in Stockholm on June 4, 1998, grew up like many Swedish children, idolizing Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Interestingly, Ibrahimovic currently serves as Gerry Cardinale’s key advisor at Milan, potentially adding weight to any transfer discussions in the summer.
Just a year ago, the two players found themselves on the same pitch during the Sweden-Belgium qualifying match for the European Championship. Unfortunately, the match ended in a 0-3 loss for Sweden, with Romelu Lukaku netting a hat-trick. This match marked Ibrahimovic’s last official appearance, as he played from the 28th minute of the second half. The prospect of Gyokeres emerging as a potential successor to Ibrahimovic’s role at San Siro adds an intriguing layer to their shared history on the field.