The English media may not have made much noise about Viktor Gyokeres’ transfer from Coventry City to Sporting last summer, but the results of the transfer are more than enough for a big discussion.
The striker has 36 goals and 15 assists in 42 appearances for the Lions so far. That makes it clear he chose the right place, while Premier League sides missed a great opportunity, as he was signed for just €20m.
Gyokere’s agent Hasan Çetinkaya is today featured in an interview with Portuguese newspaper Record, and recalled the whole process for Sporting to sign him from Coventry City.
The representative pointed out that there were other options on the table, and he had a special reason to agree to the deal with Sporting.
“Many people keep asking me why I brought Viktor to Sporting. He came for one reason: I only brought Gyökeres to Sporting because of Ruben Amorim. And I said that to the manager when I saw him for the first time, before I said hello. I’d been following Ruben since he was at Braga.
“At Benfica he played with another client of mine, Lindelöf, and I knew from him that he was an exceptional person. I also knew his philosophy at Sporting and how he could take Viktor to the next level. That was more important to me than taking him to the Premier League and making more money. Most people told me I was being stupid.”
Following Gyokeres’ impressive stats in his first season in Portugal, it’s very possible that he now returns to England, this time moving to a Premier League club who will possibly pay nearly €100m for his transfer. And if his agent didn’t make that much money back then, he’s about to hit the jackpot now.
